 <p>(Earlier versions) of IE cannot cast a function object to it's source as you request it. Thus, the strings cannot be exchanged that easily.</p> <p>You can either replace the whole old "_self" function by a new _parent function, e.g.: </p> <pre><code>$('a[onclick*="_self"]').attr('onclick', function() { _parent-stuff }); </code></pre> <p>or - I read your last comment and the second solution won't work for you as it would require changing the HTML of the body.</p>