Why won't jQuery accept this string?
<p>When I run this function:</p>

<pre><code>onUnCheck: function(el) {
var thenames = "icon-"+el.find("label:first").text().replace(/ /g,'').toLowerCase();        
alert(thenames);            
$("'."+thenames+"'").hide("fast");
}
</code></pre>

<p>I generate a string. I can see in the alert() that it is indeed the correct string. Example: </p>

<pre><code>icon-jira
</code></pre>

<p>But when I pass the string in as a jQuery selector it does not work.  </p>

<p>I know the funtion's logic is sound because pasting in the result of my alert() makes it work.  </p>

<p>Why won't jQuery accept my string?</p>
