diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/util/StringUtil.as b/src/as/com/threerings/util/StringUtil.as
index 286d89a09..991cf5c93 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/util/StringUtil.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/util/StringUtil.as
@@ -29,6 +29,14 @@ import flash.utils.getQualifiedClassName;
 
 public class StringUtil
 {
+    /**
+     * Compares two String values, returning -1, 0, or 1.
+     */
+    public static function compare (s1 :String, s2 :String) :int
+    {
+        return (s1 > s2) ? 1 : (s1 == s2 ? 0 : -1);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Get a reasonable hash code for the specified String.
      */