From 04963ecf81ac7ff7f4786f3934b429ee208d57fb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: nhmall <nhmall@nethack.org>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:08:42 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] follow-up: add a general catch for "says"

---
 include/extern.h | 1 +
 src/minion.c     | 3 ++-
 src/rumors.c     | 5 +++--
 src/shk.c        | 6 ++++++
 src/wield.c      | 4 ++--
 5 files changed, 14 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 194547d2b..5da653c38 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -2996,6 +2996,7 @@ extern void credit_report(struct monst *shkp, int idx,
                           boolean silent) NONNULLARG1;
 extern void use_unpaid_trapobj(struct obj *, coordxy, coordxy) NONNULLARG1;
 extern void noisy_shop(struct mkroom *);
+extern const char *says(void);
 
 
 /* ### shknam.c ### */
diff --git a/src/minion.c b/src/minion.c
index 03a782727..86a976908 100644
--- a/src/minion.c
+++ b/src/minion.c
@@ -299,7 +299,8 @@ demon_talk(struct monst *mtmp)
             pline("%s says, \"Good hunting, %s.\"", Amonnam(mtmp),
                   flags.female ? "Sister" : "Brother");
         else if (canseemon(mtmp))
-            pline("%s says something.", Amonnam(mtmp));
+            pline("%s %s something.", Amonnam(mtmp),
+                  says());
         if (!tele_restrict(mtmp))
             (void) rloc(mtmp, RLOC_MSG);
         return 1;
diff --git a/src/rumors.c b/src/rumors.c
index 22d3e3077..b78bd2403 100644
--- a/src/rumors.c
+++ b/src/rumors.c
@@ -554,10 +554,11 @@ outrumor(
     switch (mechanism) {
     case BY_ORACLE:
         /* Oracle delivers the rumor */
-        pline("True to her word, the Oracle %ssays: ",
+        pline("True to her word, the Oracle %s%s: ",
               (!rn2(4) ? "offhandedly "
                        : (!rn2(3) ? "casually "
-                                  : (rn2(2) ? "nonchalantly " : ""))));
+                                  : (rn2(2) ? "nonchalantly " : ""))),
+              says());
         SetVoice((struct monst *) 0, 0, 80, voice_oracle);
         verbalize1(line);
         /* [WIS exercised by getrumor()] */
diff --git a/src/shk.c b/src/shk.c
index 749df40ae..117003f46 100644
--- a/src/shk.c
+++ b/src/shk.c
@@ -2049,6 +2049,12 @@ dopay(void)
     return paid ? ECMD_TIME : ECMD_OK;
 }
 
+const char *
+says(void)
+{
+    return Deaf ? "signs" : "says";
+}
+
 /* for menustyle=Traditional, choose between paying for everything (by
    declining to itemize), asking item-by-item (by accepting itemization),
    or switch to selecting via menu (special 'm' answer at "Itemize? [ynq m]"
diff --git a/src/wield.c b/src/wield.c
index 51920b7d4..515caa938 100644
--- a/src/wield.c
+++ b/src/wield.c
@@ -264,8 +264,8 @@ ready_weapon(struct obj *wep)
                 != (struct monst *) 0) {
                 /* check msound because we don't have access to muteshk() */
                 if (!Deaf && this_shkp->data->msound > MS_ANIMAL)
-                    pline("%s says \"You be careful with my %s!\"",
-                          shkname(this_shkp), xname(wep));
+                    pline("%s %s \"You be careful with my %s!\"",
+                          shkname(this_shkp), says(), xname(wep));
                 else
                     pline("%s looks apprehensive about your wielding %s %s.",
                           shkname(this_shkp), mhis(this_shkp), xname(wep));