menu accelerator bug or feature?

["Nicholas T." <latex7 earthlink net>]

i noticed that if you have a menu open on a menu bar and hit an
accelerator sequence (CTRL + Key) then the text displayed for the
accelerator key for highlighted menu item will change to the one pressed
even if it is not the one originally listed for that menu item. i've
noticed this with several apps (including gqview, gtkicq, and one i'm
currently writing) linked with gtk 1.1.15. i'm not sure if it's the same
with other versions or happens under other circumstances also.
is this a bug or just a feature that i just don't understand?

josh