diff -r 76ef82ec80a7 Lib/idlelib/ToolTip.py
--- a/Lib/idlelib/ToolTip.py	Sat Oct 25 05:42:30 2014 +0300
+++ b/Lib/idlelib/ToolTip.py	Sat Oct 25 18:38:25 2014 +0530
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@
 
 class ToolTipBase:
 
-    def __init__(self, button):
+    def __init__(self, button, delay_ms=1500):
         self.button = button
+        self.delay_ms = delay_ms
         self.tipwindow = None
         self.id = None
         self.x = self.y = 0
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@
 
     def schedule(self):
         self.unschedule()
-        self.id = self.button.after(1500, self.showtip)
+        self.id = self.button.after(self.delay_ms, self.showtip)
 
     def unschedule(self):
         id = self.id
@@ -60,8 +61,8 @@
             tw.destroy()
 
 class ToolTip(ToolTipBase):
-    def __init__(self, button, text):
-        ToolTipBase.__init__(self, button)
+    def __init__(self, button, text, delay_ms=1500):
+        ToolTipBase.__init__(self, button, delay_ms)
         self.text = text
     def showcontents(self):
         ToolTipBase.showcontents(self, self.text)
diff -r 76ef82ec80a7 Lib/idlelib/config-extensions.def
--- a/Lib/idlelib/config-extensions.def	Sat Oct 25 05:42:30 2014 +0300
+++ b/Lib/idlelib/config-extensions.def	Sat Oct 25 18:38:25 2014 +0530
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@
 
 [AutoComplete]
 enable=True
+enable_help = sample help for enable
 popupwait=2000
+popupwait_help=this is sample help for popupwait
 [AutoComplete_cfgBindings]
 force-open-completions=<Control-Key-space>
 [AutoComplete_bindings]
@@ -58,9 +60,13 @@
 enable=True
 enable_shell=False
 numlines=3
+numlines_help=sample help text for numlines code context
 visible=False
+visible_help=sample help text for visible code context
 bgcolor=LightGray
+bgcolor_help=sample help text for bgcolor code context
 fgcolor=Black
+fgcolor_help=sample help text for fgcolor code context
 [CodeContext_bindings]
 toggle-code-context=
 
diff -r 76ef82ec80a7 Lib/idlelib/configDialog.py
--- a/Lib/idlelib/configDialog.py	Sat Oct 25 05:42:30 2014 +0300
+++ b/Lib/idlelib/configDialog.py	Sat Oct 25 18:38:25 2014 +0530
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 from idlelib.configHelpSourceEdit import GetHelpSourceDialog
 from idlelib.tabbedpages import TabbedPageSet
 from idlelib import macosxSupport
+from idlelib.ToolTip import ToolTip
+
 class ConfigDialog(Toplevel):
 
     def __init__(self, parent, title='', _htest=False, _utest=False):
@@ -1305,6 +1307,9 @@
         for ext_name in self.extensions:
             opt_list = sorted(self.defaultCfg.GetOptionList(ext_name))
 
+            # remove 'help' option entries
+            opt_list = [opt_name for opt_name in opt_list
+                        if not opt_name.endswith('_help')]
             # bring 'enable' options to the beginning of the list
             enables = [opt_name for opt_name in opt_list
                        if opt_name.startswith('enable')]
@@ -1331,6 +1336,10 @@
                             default=def_obj)
                 except ValueError:  # Need this until .Get fixed
                     value = def_obj  # bad values overwritten by entry
+                help_str = self.defaultCfg.Get(
+                           ext_name, opt_name + '_help', raw=True,
+                           default='')
+
                 var = StringVar(self)
                 var.set(str(value))
 
@@ -1339,6 +1348,7 @@
                                                   'default': def_str,
                                                   'value': value,
                                                   'var': var,
+                                                  'help': help_str,
                                                  })
 
     def create_widgets(self):
@@ -1380,6 +1390,9 @@
             # create a row with a label and entry/checkbutton
             label = Label(entry_area, text=opt['name'])
             label.grid(row=row, column=0, sticky=NW)
+            help_str = opt.get('help')
+            if help_str:
+                ToolTip(label, help_str, delay_ms=500)
             var = opt['var']
             if opt['type'] == 'bool':
                 Checkbutton(entry_area, textvariable=var, variable=var,