diff --git a/visidata/help.py b/visidata/help.py
index 469c635ce..2c8e1a46c 100644
--- a/visidata/help.py
+++ b/visidata/help.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 @BaseSheet.api
 def hint_basichelp(sheet):
-    return 0, '`Alt+[:underline]H[/]` to open the [:underline]H[/]elp menu'
+    return 0, 'Alt+H to open the [:underline]H[/]elp menu'
 
 
 @VisiData.api
diff --git a/visidata/hint.py b/visidata/hint.py
index e1efcf18b..b276f0a1b 100644
--- a/visidata/hint.py
+++ b/visidata/hint.py
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ def getHint(sheet, *args, **kwargs) -> str:
                     n = 1
                     v = r
 
+                results.append((n, v))
                 if v not in sheet.prevHints:
-                    results.append((n, v))
                     sheet.prevHints[v] += 1
         except Exception as e:
             vd.debug(f'{f.__name__}: {e}')
@@ -35,5 +35,6 @@ def getHint(sheet, *args, **kwargs) -> str:
     if results:
         return sorted(results, reverse=True)[0][1]
 
+    return ''
 
 vd.addCommand('', 'help-hint', 'status(getHint() or pressMenu("Help"))', 'get context-dependent hint on what to do next')
diff --git a/visidata/menu.py b/visidata/menu.py
index 544be4ccd..8e2b6d51f 100644
--- a/visidata/menu.py
+++ b/visidata/menu.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import string
 import textwrap
+import time
 import curses
 
 from typing import List, Union
@@ -17,11 +18,21 @@
 vd.theme_option('disp_menu_more', '»', 'command submenu indicator')
 vd.theme_option('disp_menu_push', '⎘', 'indicator if command pushes sheet onto sheet stack')
 vd.theme_option('disp_menu_input', '…', 'indicator if input required for command')
-vd.option('disp_menu_fmt', '| VisiData {vd.version} | Alt+H for help menu', 'right-side menu format string')
+vd.option('disp_menu_fmt', '| VisiData {vd.version} | {vd.hintStatus}', 'right-side menu format string')
 
 BaseSheet.init('activeMenuItems', list)
 vd.menuRunning = False
 
+@VisiData.property
+def hintStatus(vd):
+    if vd.options.disp_expert <= 0:
+        if int(time.time()/60) % 2 == 0:
+            return 'Alt+H for help menu'
+        else:
+            return 'Ctrl+G to cycle help sidebar'
+
+    return vd.sheet.getHint()
+
 def menudraw(*args):
     return clipdraw(*args, truncator='')