diff --git a/lisp/menu-bar.el b/lisp/menu-bar.el
index 7a28a00edc8dfa98acd537e5064c8c39b97d04fd..9a5d47656abe081f7edf6ce0f80f0e2852aaa275 100644
--- a/lisp/menu-bar.el
+++ b/lisp/menu-bar.el
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ A large number or nil slows down menu responsiveness."
 (define-key menu-bar-file-menu [dired]
   '(menu-item "Open Directory..." dired
 	      :enable (menu-bar-non-minibuffer-window-p)
-	      :help "Read a directory, operate on its files"))
+	      :help "Read a directory, to operate on its files"))
 (define-key menu-bar-file-menu [open-file]
   '(menu-item "Open File..." find-file-existing
 	      :enable (menu-bar-non-minibuffer-window-p)
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ A large number or nil slows down menu responsiveness."
 (define-key menu-bar-file-menu [new-file]
   '(menu-item "Visit New File..." find-file
 	      :enable (menu-bar-non-minibuffer-window-p)
-	      :help "Read or create a file and edit it"))
+	      :help "Specify a new file's name, to edit the file"))
 
 
 ;; The "Edit" menu items