diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.mn b/doc/Guidebook.mn
index b76fa5a69..8b9f8e630 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.mn
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.mn
@@ -570,9 +570,21 @@ Figure 2
 Go in that direction until you hit a wall or run into something.
 .lp m[yuhjklbn]
 Prefix:  move without picking up objects or fighting (even if you remember
-a monster there)
+a monster there).
+.lp ""
+A few non-movement commands use the `m' prefix to request operating
+via menu (to temporarily override the
+.op menustyle:Traditional
+option).
+Primarily useful for `,' (pickup) when there is only one class of
+objects present (where there won't be any ``what kinds of objects?'' prompt,
+so no opportunity to answer `m' at that prompt).
+.lp ""
+A few other commands (eat food, offer sacrifice, apply tinning-kit) use
+the `m' prefix to skip checking for applicable objects on the floor
+and go straight to checking inventory.
 .lp F[yuhjklbn]
-Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there)
+Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there).
 .lp M[yuhjklbn]
 Prefix:  move far, no pickup.
 .lp "g[yuhjklbn]
@@ -640,6 +652,11 @@ D%u - drop only unpaid food.
 Kick something (usually a door).
 .lp e
 Eat food.
+.lp ""
+Normally checks for edible item(s) on the floor, then if none are found
+or none are chosen, checks for edible item(s) in inventory.
+Precede `e' with the `m' prefix to bypass attempting to eat
+anything off the floor.
 .\" Make sure Elbereth is not hyphenated below, the exact spelling matters
 .hw Elbereth
 .lp E
diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.tex b/doc/Guidebook.tex
index 54dc5a542..df4282d7e 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.tex
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.tex
@@ -690,10 +690,22 @@ Go in that direction until you hit a wall or run into something.
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{m[yuhjklbn]}]
 Prefix:  move without picking up objects or fighting (even if you remember
-a monster there)
+a monster there).\\
+%.lp ""
+A few non-movement commands use the `{\tt m}' prefix to request operating
+via menu (to temporarily override the
+{\it menustyle:Traditional\/}
+option).
+Primarily useful for `{\tt ,}' (pickup) when there is only one class of
+objects present (where there won't be any ``what kinds of objects?'' prompt,
+so no opportunity to answer `{\tt m}' at that prompt).\\
+%.lp ""
+A few other commands (eat food, offer sacrifice, apply tinning-kit) use
+the `{\tt m}' prefix to skip checking for applicable objects on the floor
+and go straight to checking inventory.
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{F[yuhjklbn]}]
-Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there)
+Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there).
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{M[yuhjklbn]}]
 Prefix:  Move far, no pickup.
@@ -775,7 +787,12 @@ the bless\-ed/\-un\-curs\-ed/\-curs\-ed groups may be typed.\\
 Kick something (usually a door).
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{e}]
-Eat food.
+Eat food.\\
+%.lp ""
+Normally checks for edible item(s) on the floor, then if none are found
+or none are chosen, checks for edible item(s) in inventory.
+Precede `{\tt e}' with the `{\tt m}' prefix to bypass attempting to eat
+anything off the floor.
 %.lp
 % Make sure Elbereth is not hyphenated below, the exact spelling matters.
 % (Only specified here to parallel Guidebook.mn; use of \tt font implicity
diff --git a/src/cmd.c b/src/cmd.c
index 4feb9bf94..5dfb3dbc7 100644
--- a/src/cmd.c
+++ b/src/cmd.c
@@ -3445,11 +3445,17 @@ boolean initial;
     Cmd.move_SW = Cmd.dirchars[7];
 }
 
+/* non-movement commands which accept 'm' prefix to request menu operation */
 STATIC_OVL boolean
 accept_menu_prefix(cmd_func)
 int NDECL((*cmd_func));
 {
     if (cmd_func == dopickup || cmd_func == dotip
+        /* eat, #offer, and apply tinning-kit all use floorfood() to pick
+           an item on floor or in invent; 'm' skips picking from floor
+           (ie, inventory only) rather than request use of menu operation */
+        || cmd_func == doeat || cmd_func == dosacrifice || cmd_func == doapply
+        /* 'm' prefix allowed for some extended commands */
         || cmd_func == doextcmd || cmd_func == doextlist)
         return TRUE;
     return FALSE;
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index 5b8f08a8d..3b01dd8cf 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -2368,6 +2368,7 @@ doeat()
 
     if (u.uedibility) {
         int res = edibility_prompts(otmp);
+
         if (res) {
             Your(
                "%s stops tingling and your sense of smell returns to normal.",
@@ -2974,7 +2975,8 @@ int corpsecheck; /* 0, no check, 1, corpses, 2, tinnable corpses */
         offering = !strcmp(verb, "sacrifice"); /* corpsecheck==1 */
 
     /* if we can't touch floor objects then use invent food only */
-    if (!can_reach_floor(TRUE) || (feeding && u.usteed)
+    if (iflags.menu_requested /* command was preceded by 'm' prefix */
+        || !can_reach_floor(TRUE) || (feeding && u.usteed)
         || (is_pool_or_lava(u.ux, u.uy)
             && (Wwalking || is_clinger(youmonst.data)
                 || (Flying && !Breathless))))