diff --git a/lib/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py b/lib/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
index 1b908434..908cc1f0 100644
--- a/lib/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
+++ b/lib/sugar/graphics/menuitem.py
@@ -18,11 +18,16 @@
 import gtk
 from sugar.graphics.icon import Icon
 
+import pango
+
 class MenuItem(gtk.ImageMenuItem):
-    def __init__(self, text_label=None, icon_name=None):
+    def __init__(self, text_label=None, icon_name=None, text_maxlen=0):
         gtk.ImageMenuItem.__init__(self, text_label)
         if icon_name:
             icon = Icon(icon_name=icon_name, icon_size=gtk.ICON_SIZE_MENU)
             self.set_image(icon)
             icon.show()
 
+        if text_maxlen > 0:
+            self.child.set_ellipsize(pango.ELLIPSIZE_MIDDLE)
+            self.child.set_max_width_chars(text_maxlen)
diff --git a/lib/sugar/graphics/palette.py b/lib/sugar/graphics/palette.py
index a24a8064..3a279230 100644
--- a/lib/sugar/graphics/palette.py
+++ b/lib/sugar/graphics/palette.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import gtk
 import gobject
 import time
 import hippo
+import pango
 
 from sugar.graphics import palettegroup
 from sugar.graphics import animator
@@ -140,7 +141,8 @@ class Palette(gtk.Window):
                      gobject.TYPE_NONE, ([]))
     }
 
-    def __init__(self, label, accel_path=None, menu_after_content=False):
+    def __init__(self, label, accel_path=None, menu_after_content=False,
+                text_maxlen=0):
         gtk.Window.__init__(self)
 
         self.set_decorated(False)
@@ -178,6 +180,11 @@ class Palette(gtk.Window):
                                           - 2*self.get_border_width())
         self._label.set_alignment(0, 0.5)
         self._label.set_padding(style.DEFAULT_SPACING, 0)
+
+        if text_maxlen > 0:
+            self._label.set_max_width_chars(text_maxlen)
+            self._label.set_ellipsize(pango.ELLIPSIZE_MIDDLE)
+
         vbox.pack_start(self._label, False)
 
         self._secondary_box = gtk.VBox()