Here's an OO way that may do what you want: >>> class MyD(dict): ... def __init__(self,dic,rep): ... dict.__init__(self,dic) ... self.rep = rep ... def __repr__(self): ... return self.rep ... >>> apps = MyD({'alpha':1,'beta':2},'apps') >>> apps apps >>> apps.keys() ['alpha', 'beta'] Of course, the easiest way is just to use a tuple (dict,string). THN