diff --git a/common/eda_item.cpp b/common/eda_item.cpp
index 4cffc14d81..57a54a04e3 100644
--- a/common/eda_item.cpp
+++ b/common/eda_item.cpp
@@ -303,6 +303,15 @@ std::ostream& EDA_ITEM::NestedSpace( int nestLevel, std::ostream& os )
 #endif
 
 
+wxString EDA_ITEM::GetTypeDesc()
+{
+    //@see EDA_ITEM_DESC for definition of ENUM_MAP<KICAD_T>
+    wxString typeDescr = ENUM_MAP<KICAD_T>::Instance().ToString( Type() );
+
+    return wxGetTranslation( typeDescr );
+}
+
+
 static struct EDA_ITEM_DESC
 {
     EDA_ITEM_DESC()
diff --git a/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp b/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
index 34d57e4607..dc4e9b67db 100644
--- a/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
+++ b/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
@@ -90,9 +90,7 @@ void PROPERTIES_PANEL::update( const SELECTION& aSelection )
     }
     else
     {
-        // TODO: Plain-language descriptive noun function in EDA_ITEM classes
-        // TODO: Need to override this in PCB editor vs. schematic
-        m_caption->SetLabel( aSelection.Front()->GetClass() );
+        m_caption->SetLabel( aSelection.Front()->GetTypeDesc() );
     }
 
     PROPERTY_MANAGER& propMgr = PROPERTY_MANAGER::Instance();
diff --git a/include/eda_item.h b/include/eda_item.h
index 75f7926ca3..8128d03318 100644
--- a/include/eda_item.h
+++ b/include/eda_item.h
@@ -350,6 +350,12 @@ public:
      */
     virtual wxString GetClass() const = 0;
 
+    /**
+     * Return a translated description of the type for this EDA_ITEM for display in user facing
+     * messages.
+     */
+    wxString GetTypeDesc();
+
     /**
      * Return the text to display to be used in the selection clarification context menu
      * when multiple items are found at the current cursor position.