In LocalSettings.php I do:
function jidanni_less_skin_mess( $this, $nav_urls, $oldid, $revid ){
$nav_urls['permalink'] = false; #discourage permalinking on my site
$wgHooks['SkinTemplateBuildNavUrlsNav_urlsAfterPermalink'][]='jidanni_less_skin_mess';
Seems to work. Guess that's how to do it.