short title in menu

This thread from 2009 had some probably good answer, but they no longer apply. The original question was: Can you make a shorter page name for menu use? I make a page, give it let's say a four word title but I don't want it that long in the drop down menu.

The answers refer to an index.php with more than 90 lines, but it now has 50-odd lines. Any follow up on this issue for the new releases of this theme?

Thanks!
John