diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ def bundle(ui, repo, fname, dest=None, *
     changegroup.writebundle(cg, fname, "HG10BZ")
 
 def cat(ui, repo, file1, *pats, **opts):
-    """output the latest or given revisions of files
+    """output the current or given revision of files
 
     Print the specified files as they were at the given revision.
     If no revision is given then working dir parent is used, or tip
@@ -1741,9 +1741,11 @@ def log(ui, repo, *pats, **opts):
                 count += 1
 
 def manifest(ui, repo, rev=None):
-    """output the latest or given revision of the project manifest
+    """output the current or given revision of the project manifest
 
     Print a list of version controlled files for the given revision.
+    If no revision is given then working dir parent is used, or tip
+    if no revision is checked out.
 
     The manifest is the list of files being version controlled. If no revision
     is given then the first parent of the working directory is used.
diff --git a/tests/test-globalopts.out b/tests/test-globalopts.out
--- a/tests/test-globalopts.out
+++ b/tests/test-globalopts.out
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  branch       set or show the current branch name
  branches     list repository named branches
  bundle       create a changegroup file
- cat          output the latest or given revisions of files
+ cat          output the current or given revision of files
  clone        make a copy of an existing repository
  commit       commit the specified files or all outstanding changes
  copy         mark files as copied for the next commit
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  init         create a new repository in the given directory
  locate       locate files matching specific patterns
  log          show revision history of entire repository or files
- manifest     output the latest or given revision of the project manifest
+ manifest     output the current or given revision of the project manifest
  merge        Merge working directory with another revision
  outgoing     show changesets not found in destination
  parents      show the parents of the working dir or revision
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  branch       set or show the current branch name
  branches     list repository named branches
  bundle       create a changegroup file
- cat          output the latest or given revisions of files
+ cat          output the current or given revision of files
  clone        make a copy of an existing repository
  commit       commit the specified files or all outstanding changes
  copy         mark files as copied for the next commit
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  init         create a new repository in the given directory
  locate       locate files matching specific patterns
  log          show revision history of entire repository or files
- manifest     output the latest or given revision of the project manifest
+ manifest     output the current or given revision of the project manifest
  merge        Merge working directory with another revision
  outgoing     show changesets not found in destination
  parents      show the parents of the working dir or revision
diff --git a/tests/test-help.out b/tests/test-help.out
--- a/tests/test-help.out
+++ b/tests/test-help.out
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  branch       set or show the current branch name
  branches     list repository named branches
  bundle       create a changegroup file
- cat          output the latest or given revisions of files
+ cat          output the current or given revision of files
  clone        make a copy of an existing repository
  commit       commit the specified files or all outstanding changes
  copy         mark files as copied for the next commit
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  init         create a new repository in the given directory
  locate       locate files matching specific patterns
  log          show revision history of entire repository or files
- manifest     output the latest or given revision of the project manifest
+ manifest     output the current or given revision of the project manifest
  merge        Merge working directory with another revision
  outgoing     show changesets not found in destination
  parents      show the parents of the working dir or revision
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  branch       set or show the current branch name
  branches     list repository named branches
  bundle       create a changegroup file
- cat          output the latest or given revisions of files
+ cat          output the current or given revision of files
  clone        make a copy of an existing repository
  commit       commit the specified files or all outstanding changes
  copy         mark files as copied for the next commit
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ list of commands (use "hg help -v" to sh
  init         create a new repository in the given directory
  locate       locate files matching specific patterns
  log          show revision history of entire repository or files
- manifest     output the latest or given revision of the project manifest
+ manifest     output the current or given revision of the project manifest
  merge        Merge working directory with another revision
  outgoing     show changesets not found in destination
  parents      show the parents of the working dir or revision