jQuery attribute auto added to elements

Question

After using the IE8 built in Developers Tools for the first time, I noticed jQuery is attaching an attribute to some of my elements: alt text http://thebe.jtan.com/~vince/st

Answer 1

jQuery uses this "expando" to bind data and events to objects. It looks like it works along with a data and event cache. I'd love to hear a more in-depth explanation, though.