The @shortname() function takes one string argument, a number. This number is the dbref of an object. The function will return the short name of the object (that is, the first part of a semicolon- delimited name). If #123 is called 'red apple;apple', then @shortname("123") would return "red apple". If #321 is 'north;n', then @shortname("321") would return "north".