Replace an element name while retaining the attributes with jquery

I'm trying to create a jquery setup where all instances of <i> are changed 开发者_StackOverflowto <em>. It's easy enough to do with:

$("i").each(function(){
    $(this).replaceWith($('<em>' + this.innerHTML + '</em>'));
});

But what I am having trouble figuring out is how to change all the <i> tags but retain each ones individual attributes. So if I have <i style="background-color: #333;" alt="Example" title="Example">Example Text</i> I would like it to change to <em style="background-color: #333;" alt="Example" title="Example">Example Text</em>

Thanks for any help!

Wrong approach IMO.

I'd recommend replacing the actual elements themselves directly in the DOM. Maybe this question helps:

jQuery convert DOM element to different type

It is simple

$(this).attributes(); will get you all the attributes of the i tag for every instance simply place it into your replace function.

I am not sure how can you play with a function but in my knowledge code will be something like this.

$("i").each(function(){
var attribute = $(this).attributes();
$(this).replaceWith($('<em'+attributes+'>'

+ this.innerHTML + '')); });

Hope it helps.