diff --git a/jquery.multiselect.js b/jquery.multiselect.js
index 0295ed1..e22b7af 100644
--- a/jquery.multiselect.js
+++ b/jquery.multiselect.js
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@
                         }
 
                         // search non optgroup li's
-                        var searchString = $.trim( search.val().toLowerCase() );
+                        var searchString = search.val().toLowerCase().trim();
                         if( searchString ) {
                             optionsList.find('li[data-search-term*="'+ searchString +'"]:not(.optgroup)').removeClass('ms-hidden');
                             optionsList.find('li:not([data-search-term*="'+ searchString +'"], .optgroup)').addClass('ms-hidden');
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@
                 }
 
                 selOpts.push(
-                    $.trim( select.find('option[value="'+ instance._escapeSelector( selectVals[ key ] ) +'"]').text() )
+                    select.find('option[value="'+ instance._escapeSelector( selectVals[ key ] ) +'"]').text().trim()
                 );
 
                 if( selOpts.length >= instance.options.maxPlaceholderOpts ) {
@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@
                 searchTerm += ' ' + option.value.toLowerCase();
             }
 
-            container.attr( 'data-search-term', $.trim( searchTerm ) ).prepend( thisOption );
+            container.attr( 'data-search-term', searchTerm.trim() ).prepend( thisOption );
 
             msOptCounter = msOptCounter + 1;
         },