diff --git a/basis/db/tuples/tuples.factor b/basis/db/tuples/tuples.factor
index 6e009d84d5..7a8d6e5674 100644
--- a/basis/db/tuples/tuples.factor
+++ b/basis/db/tuples/tuples.factor
@@ -40,13 +40,11 @@ GENERIC: eval-generator ( singleton -- object )
 
 : query-modify-tuple ( tuple statement -- )
     [ query-results [ sql-row-typed ] with-disposal ] keep
-    out-params>> rot [
-        [ slot-name>> ] dip set-slot-named
-    ] curry 2each ;
+    out-params>> rot '[ slot-name>> _ set-slot-named ] 2each ;
 
 : with-disposals ( object quotation -- )
     over sequence? [
-        over [ dispose-each ] curry [ ] cleanup
+        over '[ _ dispose-each ] [ ] cleanup
     ] [
         with-disposal
     ] if ; inline
@@ -73,7 +71,8 @@ PRIVATE>
 
 ! High level
 ERROR: no-slots-named class seq ;
-: check-columns ( class columns -- )
+
+: check-columns ( columns class -- )
     [ nip ] [
         [ keys ]
         [ all-slots [ name>> ] map ] bi* diff