diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 41a1316b0..448acc20f 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -435,6 +435,7 @@ extern int dodrop(void);
 extern boolean boulder_hits_pool(struct obj *, int, int, boolean);
 extern boolean flooreffects(struct obj *, int, int, const char *);
 extern void doaltarobj(struct obj *);
+extern void trycall(struct obj *);
 extern boolean canletgo(struct obj *, const char *);
 extern void dropx(struct obj *);
 extern void dropy(struct obj *);
diff --git a/src/do.c b/src/do.c
index 8f11b5b53..c74d2033d 100644
--- a/src/do.c
+++ b/src/do.c
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 
 #include "hack.h"
 
-static void trycall(struct obj *);
 static void polymorph_sink(void);
 static boolean teleport_sink(void);
 static void dosinkring(struct obj *);
@@ -315,7 +314,9 @@ doaltarobj(struct obj *obj)
     }
 }
 
-static void
+/* If obj is neither formally identified nor informally called something
+ * already, prompt the player to call its object type. */
+void
 trycall(struct obj *obj)
 {
     if (!objects[obj->otyp].oc_name_known && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_uname)
diff --git a/src/do_wear.c b/src/do_wear.c
index f99a8fb4c..925512448 100644
--- a/src/do_wear.c
+++ b/src/do_wear.c
@@ -888,10 +888,8 @@ Amulet_on(void)
         }
         livelog_newform(FALSE, orig_sex, new_sex);
         pline_The("amulet disintegrates!");
-        if (orig_sex == poly_gender() && uamul->dknown
-            && !objects[AMULET_OF_CHANGE].oc_name_known
-            && !objects[AMULET_OF_CHANGE].oc_uname)
-            docall(uamul);
+        if (orig_sex == poly_gender() && uamul->dknown)
+            trycall(uamul);
         useup(uamul);
         break;
     }
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index 991e84dba..183c5c19d 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -2620,9 +2620,8 @@ doeat(void)
     if (otmp->otyp == RIN_SLOW_DIGESTION) {
         pline("This ring is indigestible!");
         (void) rottenfood(otmp);
-        if (otmp->dknown && !objects[otmp->otyp].oc_name_known
-            && !objects[otmp->otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(otmp);
+        if (otmp->dknown)
+            trycall(otmp);
         return ECMD_TIME;
     }
     if (otmp->oclass != FOOD_CLASS) {
diff --git a/src/muse.c b/src/muse.c
index 67e9f8456..6b2dc09f7 100644
--- a/src/muse.c
+++ b/src/muse.c
@@ -857,9 +857,8 @@ use_defensive(struct monst* mtmp)
          */
         if (known)
             makeknown(SCR_CREATE_MONSTER);
-        else if (!objects[SCR_CREATE_MONSTER].oc_name_known
-                 && !objects[SCR_CREATE_MONSTER].oc_uname)
-            docall(otmp);
+        else
+            trycall(otmp);
         m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
         return 2;
     }
@@ -2076,9 +2075,7 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
                 if (vismon) {
                     pline("%s rises up, through the %s!", Monnam(mtmp),
                           ceiling(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my));
-                    if (!objects[POT_GAIN_LEVEL].oc_name_known
-                        && !objects[POT_GAIN_LEVEL].oc_uname)
-                        docall(otmp);
+                    trycall(otmp);
                 }
                 m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
                 migrate_to_level(mtmp, ledger_no(&tolevel), MIGR_RANDOM,
@@ -2088,9 +2085,7 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
  skipmsg:
                 if (vismon) {
                     pline("%s looks uneasy.", Monnam(mtmp));
-                    if (!objects[POT_GAIN_LEVEL].oc_name_known
-                        && !objects[POT_GAIN_LEVEL].oc_uname)
-                        docall(otmp);
+                    trycall(otmp);
                 }
                 m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
                 return 2;
@@ -2789,10 +2784,9 @@ muse_unslime(
         if (mon->mconf) {
             if (cansee(mon->mx, mon->my))
                 pline("Oh, what a pretty fire!");
-            if (vis && !objects[otyp].oc_name_known
-                && !objects[otyp].oc_uname)
-                docall(obj);
-            m_useup(mon, obj); /* after docall() */
+            if (vis)
+                trycall(obj);
+            m_useup(mon, obj); /* after trycall() */
             vis = FALSE;       /* skip makeknown() below */
             res = FALSE;       /* failed to cure sliming */
         } else {
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 5b162a2d3..6bc0f6c2a 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -1666,9 +1666,7 @@ pickup_object(struct obj *obj, long count,
             pline_The("scroll%s %s to dust as you %s %s up.", plur(obj->quan),
                       otense(obj, "turn"), telekinesis ? "raise" : "pick",
                       (obj->quan == 1L) ? "it" : "them");
-            if (!objects[SCR_SCARE_MONSTER].oc_name_known
-                && !objects[SCR_SCARE_MONSTER].oc_uname)
-                docall(obj);
+            trycall(obj);
             useupf(obj, obj->quan);
             return 1; /* tried to pick something up and failed, but
                          don't want to terminate pickup loop yet   */
diff --git a/src/potion.c b/src/potion.c
index 3b5f5903e..d34370446 100644
--- a/src/potion.c
+++ b/src/potion.c
@@ -591,8 +591,8 @@ dopotion(struct obj *otmp)
         if (!g.potion_unkn) {
             makeknown(otmp->otyp);
             more_experienced(0, 10);
-        } else if (!objects[otmp->otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(otmp);
+        } else
+            trycall(otmp);
     }
     useup(otmp);
     return ECMD_TIME;
@@ -1414,9 +1414,8 @@ strange_feeling(struct obj *obj, const char *txt)
     if (!obj) /* e.g., crystal ball finds no traps */
         return;
 
-    if (obj->dknown && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_name_known
-        && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_uname)
-        docall(obj);
+    if (obj->dknown)
+        trycall(obj);
 
     useup(obj);
 }
@@ -1837,9 +1836,8 @@ potionhit(struct monst *mon, struct obj *obj, int how)
     if ((distance == 0 || (distance < 3 && rn2(5)))
         && (!breathless(g.youmonst.data) || haseyes(g.youmonst.data)))
         potionbreathe(obj);
-    else if (obj->dknown && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_name_known
-             && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_uname && cansee(tx, ty))
-        docall(obj);
+    else if (obj->dknown && cansee(tx, ty))
+        trycall(obj);
 
     if (*u.ushops && obj->unpaid) {
         struct monst *shkp = shop_keeper(*in_rooms(u.ux, u.uy, SHOPBASE));
@@ -2040,9 +2038,8 @@ potionbreathe(struct obj *obj)
     if (obj->dknown) {
         if (kn)
             makeknown(obj->otyp);
-        else if (!objects[obj->otyp].oc_name_known
-                 && !objects[obj->otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(obj);
+        else
+            trycall(obj);
     }
     return;
 }
@@ -2391,10 +2388,8 @@ dodip(void)
                                    : potion->odiluted ? hcolor(NH_ORANGE)
                                      : hcolor(NH_RED));
         potion->in_use = FALSE; /* didn't go poof */
-        if (potion->dknown
-            && !objects[potion->otyp].oc_name_known
-            && !objects[potion->otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(potion);
+        if (potion->dknown)
+            trycall(potion);
         return ECMD_TIME;
     }
 
@@ -2578,10 +2573,8 @@ dodip(void)
     return ECMD_TIME;
 
  poof:
-    if (potion->dknown
-        && !objects[potion->otyp].oc_name_known
-        && !objects[potion->otyp].oc_uname)
-        docall(potion);
+    if (potion->dknown)
+        trycall(potion);
     useup(potion);
     return ECMD_TIME;
 }
diff --git a/src/read.c b/src/read.c
index d9f2c4d33..db8800b86 100644
--- a/src/read.c
+++ b/src/read.c
@@ -440,8 +440,7 @@ doread(void)
 
         /* yet another note: despite the fact that player will recognize
            the object type, don't make it become a discovery for hero */
-        if (!objects[otyp].oc_name_known && !objects[otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(scroll);
+        trycall(scroll);
         return ECMD_TIME;
     } else if (otyp == CREDIT_CARD) {
         static const char *const card_msgs[] = {
@@ -631,8 +630,8 @@ doread(void)
         if (!objects[otyp].oc_name_known) {
             if (g.known)
                 learnscroll(scroll);
-            else if (!objects[otyp].oc_uname)
-                docall(scroll);
+            else
+                trycall(scroll);
         }
         scroll->in_use = FALSE;
         if (otyp != SCR_BLANK_PAPER)
diff --git a/src/spell.c b/src/spell.c
index 60f4c5b15..690496073 100644
--- a/src/spell.c
+++ b/src/spell.c
@@ -185,9 +185,7 @@ confused_book(struct obj* spellbook)
          "Being confused you have difficulties in controlling your actions.");
         display_nhwindow(WIN_MESSAGE, FALSE);
         You("accidentally tear the spellbook to pieces.");
-        if (!objects[spellbook->otyp].oc_name_known
-            && !objects[spellbook->otyp].oc_uname)
-            docall(spellbook);
+        trycall(spellbook);
         useup(spellbook);
         gone = TRUE;
     } else {
@@ -587,9 +585,7 @@ study_book(register struct obj* spellbook)
             if (gone || !rn2(3)) {
                 if (!gone)
                     pline_The("spellbook crumbles to dust!");
-                if (!objects[spellbook->otyp].oc_name_known
-                    && !objects[spellbook->otyp].oc_uname)
-                    docall(spellbook);
+                trycall(spellbook);
                 useup(spellbook);
             } else
                 spellbook->in_use = FALSE;