diff --git a/Brewfile b/Brewfile
index eb54e89..5309daa 100644
--- a/Brewfile
+++ b/Brewfile
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ install macvim --override-system-vim
 install reattach-to-user-namespace
 install tmux
 install zsh
+install highlight
 
 # gitsh
 tap thoughtbot/formulae
diff --git a/zsh/functions.zsh b/zsh/functions.zsh
index a6fbc04..7d62a74 100644
--- a/zsh/functions.zsh
+++ b/zsh/functions.zsh
@@ -118,3 +118,14 @@ function gi() {
 function gci() {
     npm install --save-dev grunt-contrib-"$@"
 }
+
+# syntax highlight the contents of a file or the clipboard and place the result on the clipboard
+function hl() {
+    if [ -z "$2" ]; then
+        src=$( pbpaste )
+    else
+        src=$( cat $2 )
+    fi
+
+    echo $src | highlight -O rtf --syntax $1 --font Inconsoloata --style moria --font-size 24 | pbcopy
+}