diff --git a/copycat/slipnet.py b/copycat/slipnet.py
index 07166a6..1f81854 100644
--- a/copycat/slipnet.py
+++ b/copycat/slipnet.py
@@ -4,17 +4,6 @@ from slipnode import Slipnode
 from sliplink import Sliplink
 
 
-def distinguishingDescriptor(descriptor):
-    """Whether no other object of the same type has the same descriptor"""
-    if descriptor == slipnet.letter:
-        return False
-    if descriptor == slipnet.group:
-        return False
-    if descriptor in slipnet.numbers:
-        return False
-    return True
-
-
 class SlipNet(object):
     # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes
     def __init__(self):
@@ -58,6 +47,16 @@ class SlipNet(object):
             node.jump()
             node.buffer = 0.0
 
+    def isDistinguishingDescriptor(self, descriptor):
+        """Whether no other object of the same type has the same descriptor"""
+        if descriptor == self.letter:
+            return False
+        if descriptor == self.group:
+            return False
+        if descriptor in self.numbers:
+            return False
+        return True
+
     def __addInitialNodes(self):
         # pylint: disable=too-many-statements
         self.slipnodes = []
diff --git a/copycat/workspaceObject.py b/copycat/workspaceObject.py
index f825cb7..7f0ad20 100644
--- a/copycat/workspaceObject.py
+++ b/copycat/workspaceObject.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import logging
 
 from description import Description
 from formulas import weightedAverage
-from slipnet import slipnet, distinguishingDescriptor
+from slipnet import slipnet
 from workspaceStructure import WorkspaceStructure
 
 
@@ -170,13 +170,12 @@ class WorkspaceObject(WorkspaceStructure):
         return objectOnMyRightIsRightmost and objectOnMyLeftIsLeftmost
 
     def distinguishingDescriptor(self, descriptor):
-        # pylint: disable=no-self-use
-        return distinguishingDescriptor(descriptor)
+        return slipnet.isDistinguishingDescriptor(descriptor)
 
     def relevantDistinguishingDescriptors(self):
         return [d.descriptor
                 for d in self.relevantDescriptions()
-                if distinguishingDescriptor(d.descriptor)]
+                if slipnet.isDistinguishingDescriptor(d.descriptor)]
 
     def getDescriptor(self, descriptionType):
         """The description attached to this object of the description type."""