A picture is worth 10,000 words...but _which_ one??

[rumplestiltskin]

Icons are everywhere. What does the icon mean? Oh, I can hover my mouse over it and see text of what it does. Well, why not just give me an option to lose most of the icons and simple have the one or two words that describes what the icon is supposed to do? Seems to me it would simplify the user interface greatly. I've attached a screenshot of the standard toolbar but will, if requested, follow this up with a modified picture showing what I mean.

Thanks.