From the NannyMUD documentation

LAST CHANGE

2000-12-12

FUNCTION

NAME
        query_verb - Give the currently active verb


SYNTAX
	string query_verb()

DESCRIPTION
	Returns the currently issued verb. This is only relevant when an
	interactive player has issued a command. This function will
	then return the first word of that command, ie all text up to but
	not including the first space.


SEE ALSO
        add_action in efun/object_related/add_action