diff --git a/src/compiletest/header.rs b/src/compiletest/header.rs
index e17d8955c67..28c7cfb88c9 100644
--- a/src/compiletest/header.rs
+++ b/src/compiletest/header.rs
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ fn parse_compile_flags(line: &str) -> Option<~str> {
 }
 
 fn parse_run_flags(line: &str) -> Option<~str> {
-    parse_name_value_directive(line, ~"run-flags")
+    parse_name_value_directive(line, "run-flags".to_owned())
 }
 
 fn parse_debugger_cmd(line: &str) -> Option<~str> {
diff --git a/src/libcollections/hashmap.rs b/src/libcollections/hashmap.rs
index f6a2b1c6250..302cc611f38 100644
--- a/src/libcollections/hashmap.rs
+++ b/src/libcollections/hashmap.rs
@@ -698,13 +698,13 @@ static INITIAL_LOAD_FACTOR: Fraction = (9, 10);
 /// book_reviews.insert("The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", "Eye lyked it alot.");
 ///
 /// // check for a specific one.
-/// if !book_reviews.contains_key(& &"Les Misérables") {
+/// if !book_reviews.contains_key(&("Les Misérables")) {
 ///     println!("We've got {} reviews, but Les Misérables ain't one.",
 ///              book_reviews.len());
 /// }
 ///
 /// // oops, this review has a lot of spelling mistakes, let's delete it.
-/// book_reviews.remove(& &"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes");
+/// book_reviews.remove(&("The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"));
 ///
 /// // look up the values associated with some keys.
 /// let to_find = ["Pride and Prejudice", "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland"];
diff --git a/src/libcollections/treemap.rs b/src/libcollections/treemap.rs
index dc8e64ed86b..ec1d3f5750a 100644
--- a/src/libcollections/treemap.rs
+++ b/src/libcollections/treemap.rs
@@ -1651,10 +1651,10 @@ mod test_set {
 
         // FIXME: #5801: this needs a type hint to compile...
         let result: Option<(&uint, & &'static str)> = z.next();
-        assert_eq!(result.unwrap(), (&5u, & &"bar"));
+        assert_eq!(result.unwrap(), (&5u, &("bar")));
 
         let result: Option<(&uint, & &'static str)> = z.next();
-        assert_eq!(result.unwrap(), (&11u, & &"foo"));
+        assert_eq!(result.unwrap(), (&11u, &("foo")));
 
         let result: Option<(&uint, & &'static str)> = z.next();
         assert!(result.is_none());
diff --git a/src/libgetopts/lib.rs b/src/libgetopts/lib.rs
index 8887eb9e804..78c2b6c99e9 100644
--- a/src/libgetopts/lib.rs
+++ b/src/libgetopts/lib.rs
@@ -1441,7 +1441,7 @@ mod tests {
             optmulti("l", "", "Desc", "VAL"));
 
         let expected =
-~"Usage: fruits
+"Usage: fruits
 
 Options:
     -b --banana VAL     Desc
@@ -1450,7 +1450,7 @@ Options:
     -k --kiwi           Desc
     -p [VAL]            Desc
     -l VAL              Desc
-";
+".to_owned();
 
         let generated_usage = usage("Usage: fruits", optgroups.as_slice());
 
@@ -1471,13 +1471,13 @@ Options:
                 "This is a long description which _will_ be wrapped..+.."));
 
         let expected =
-~"Usage: fruits
+"Usage: fruits
 
 Options:
     -k --kiwi           This is a long description which won't be wrapped..+..
     -a --apple          This is a long description which _will_ be
                         wrapped..+..
-";
+".to_owned();
 
         let usage = usage("Usage: fruits", optgroups.as_slice());
 
@@ -1496,14 +1496,14 @@ Options:
 confuse the line wrapping; an apple costs 0.51€ in some parts of Europe."));
 
         let expected =
-~"Usage: fruits
+"Usage: fruits
 
 Options:
     -k --k–w–           The word kiwi is normally spelled with two i's
     -a --apple          This “description” has some characters that could
                         confuse the line wrapping; an apple costs 0.51€ in
                         some parts of Europe.
-";
+".to_owned();
 
         let usage = usage("Usage: fruits", optgroups.as_slice());
 
diff --git a/src/libregex/parse.rs b/src/libregex/parse.rs
index 094da4ae269..9feceff5375 100644
--- a/src/libregex/parse.rs
+++ b/src/libregex/parse.rs
@@ -220,7 +220,9 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                         try!(self.parse_group_opts())
                     } else {
                         self.caps += 1;
-                        self.stack.push(Paren(self.flags, self.caps, ~""))
+                        self.stack.push(Paren(self.flags,
+                                              self.caps,
+                                              "".to_owned()))
                     }
                 }
                 ')' => {
@@ -769,7 +771,7 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                     }
                     if self.cur() == ':' {
                         // Save the old flags with the opening paren.
-                        self.stack.push(Paren(self.flags, 0, ~""));
+                        self.stack.push(Paren(self.flags, 0, "".to_owned()));
                     }
                     self.flags = flags;
                     return Ok(())
diff --git a/src/libregex_macros/lib.rs b/src/libregex_macros/lib.rs
index 8b134d5af8b..f88f7fb8115 100644
--- a/src/libregex_macros/lib.rs
+++ b/src/libregex_macros/lib.rs
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ impl<'a> NfaGen<'a> {
             |cx, name| match name {
                 &Some(ref name) => {
                     let name = name.as_slice();
-                    quote_expr!(cx, Some(~$name))
+                    quote_expr!(cx, Some($name.to_owned()))
                 }
                 &None => quote_expr!(cx, None),
             }
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ fn exec<'t>(which: ::regex::native::MatchKind, input: &'t str,
 }
 
 ::regex::Regex {
-    original: ~$regex,
+    original: $regex.to_owned(),
     names: vec!$cap_names,
     p: ::regex::native::Native(exec),
 }
diff --git a/src/librustc/driver/driver.rs b/src/librustc/driver/driver.rs
index d2d1f3ba778..b579a9b9c64 100644
--- a/src/librustc/driver/driver.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/driver/driver.rs
@@ -1059,16 +1059,16 @@ pub fn build_session_(sopts: session::Options,
 
 pub fn parse_pretty(sess: &Session, name: &str) -> PpMode {
     match name {
-      &"normal" => PpmNormal,
-      &"expanded" => PpmExpanded,
-      &"typed" => PpmTyped,
-      &"expanded,identified" => PpmExpandedIdentified,
-      &"identified" => PpmIdentified,
-      _ => {
-        sess.fatal("argument to `pretty` must be one of `normal`, \
-                    `expanded`, `typed`, `identified`, \
-                    or `expanded,identified`");
-      }
+        "normal" => PpmNormal,
+        "expanded" => PpmExpanded,
+        "typed" => PpmTyped,
+        "expanded,identified" => PpmExpandedIdentified,
+        "identified" => PpmIdentified,
+        _ => {
+            sess.fatal("argument to `pretty` must be one of `normal`, \
+                        `expanded`, `typed`, `identified`, \
+                        or `expanded,identified`");
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/librustc/lib.rs b/src/librustc/lib.rs
index 25a4adcfca1..c9a40cffe58 100644
--- a/src/librustc/lib.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/lib.rs
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ pub fn run_compiler(args: &[~str]) {
         None::<d::PpMode> => {/* continue */ }
     }
 
-    if r.contains(&~"ls") {
+    if r.contains(&("ls".to_owned())) {
         match input {
             d::FileInput(ref ifile) => {
                 let mut stdout = io::stdout();
diff --git a/src/librustc/middle/lint.rs b/src/librustc/middle/lint.rs
index c15eb3a9774..ff84a7b0ca4 100644
--- a/src/librustc/middle/lint.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/middle/lint.rs
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ fn check_crate_attrs_usage(cx: &Context, attrs: &[ast::Attribute]) {
         if !iter.any(|other_attr| { name.equiv(other_attr) }) {
             cx.span_lint(AttributeUsage, attr.span, "unknown crate attribute");
         }
-        if name.equiv(& &"link") {
+        if name.equiv(&("link")) {
             cx.tcx.sess.span_err(attr.span,
                                  "obsolete crate `link` attribute");
             cx.tcx.sess.note("the link attribute has been superceded by the crate_id \
diff --git a/src/librustc/middle/trans/reflect.rs b/src/librustc/middle/trans/reflect.rs
index edf770d9cf6..e54a24af960 100644
--- a/src/librustc/middle/trans/reflect.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/middle/trans/reflect.rs
@@ -189,9 +189,9 @@ impl<'a, 'b> Reflector<'a, 'b> {
           ty::ty_rptr(_, ref mt) => {
               match ty::get(mt.ty).sty {
                   ty::ty_vec(ref mt, None) => {
-                      let (name, extra) = (~"slice", Vec::new());
+                      let (name, extra) = ("slice".to_owned(), Vec::new());
                       let extra = extra.append(self.c_mt(mt).as_slice());
-                      self.visit(~"evec_" + name, extra.as_slice())
+                      self.visit("evec_".to_owned() + name, extra.as_slice())
                   }
                   ty::ty_str => self.visit("estr_slice".to_owned(), &[]),
                   _ => {
diff --git a/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/_match.rs b/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/_match.rs
index 9ceb3132509..9c8e02b8e21 100644
--- a/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/_match.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/_match.rs
@@ -647,8 +647,8 @@ pub fn check_pat(pcx: &pat_ctxt, pat: &ast::Pat, expected: ty::t) {
               ty::ty_vec(mt, None) => {
                   fcx.type_error_message(pat.span,
                                          |_| {
-                                          ~"unique vector patterns are no \
-                                            longer supported"
+                                            "unique vector patterns are no \
+                                             longer supported".to_owned()
                                          },
                                          expected,
                                          None);
diff --git a/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/mod.rs b/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/mod.rs
index a0847baaea2..5c3f99d1905 100644
--- a/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/middle/typeck/check/mod.rs
@@ -2564,70 +2564,74 @@ fn check_expr_with_unifier(fcx: &FnCtxt,
     let tcx = fcx.ccx.tcx;
     let id = expr.id;
     match expr.node {
-      ast::ExprVstore(ev, vst) => {
-        let typ = match ev.node {
-          ast::ExprLit(lit) if ast_util::lit_is_str(lit) => {
-            ast_expr_vstore_to_ty(fcx, ev, vst, || ty::mt{ ty: ty::mk_str(tcx),
-                                                           mutbl: ast::MutImmutable })
-          }
-          ast::ExprVec(ref args) => {
-            let mutability = match vst {
-                ast::ExprVstoreMutSlice => ast::MutMutable,
-                _ => ast::MutImmutable,
-            };
-            let mut any_error = false;
-            let mut any_bot = false;
-            let t: ty::t = fcx.infcx().next_ty_var();
-            for e in args.iter() {
-                check_expr_has_type(fcx, *e, t);
-                let arg_t = fcx.expr_ty(*e);
-                if ty::type_is_error(arg_t) {
-                    any_error = true;
+        ast::ExprVstore(ev, vst) => {
+            let typ = match ev.node {
+                ast::ExprVec(ref args) => {
+                    let mutability = match vst {
+                        ast::ExprVstoreMutSlice => ast::MutMutable,
+                        _ => ast::MutImmutable,
+                    };
+                    let mut any_error = false;
+                    let mut any_bot = false;
+                    let t: ty::t = fcx.infcx().next_ty_var();
+                    for e in args.iter() {
+                        check_expr_has_type(fcx, *e, t);
+                        let arg_t = fcx.expr_ty(*e);
+                        if ty::type_is_error(arg_t) {
+                            any_error = true;
+                        }
+                        else if ty::type_is_bot(arg_t) {
+                            any_bot = true;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    if any_error {
+                        ty::mk_err()
+                    } else if any_bot {
+                        ty::mk_bot()
+                    } else {
+                        ast_expr_vstore_to_ty(fcx, ev, vst, ||
+                            ty::mt{ ty: ty::mk_vec(tcx,
+                                                   ty::mt {ty: t, mutbl: mutability},
+                                                   None),
+                                                   mutbl: mutability })
+                    }
                 }
-                else if ty::type_is_bot(arg_t) {
-                    any_bot = true;
+                ast::ExprRepeat(element, count_expr) => {
+                    check_expr_with_hint(fcx, count_expr, ty::mk_uint());
+                    let _ = ty::eval_repeat_count(fcx, count_expr);
+                    let mutability = match vst {
+                        ast::ExprVstoreMutSlice => ast::MutMutable,
+                        _ => ast::MutImmutable,
+                    };
+                    let t = fcx.infcx().next_ty_var();
+                    check_expr_has_type(fcx, element, t);
+                    let arg_t = fcx.expr_ty(element);
+                    if ty::type_is_error(arg_t) {
+                        ty::mk_err()
+                    } else if ty::type_is_bot(arg_t) {
+                        ty::mk_bot()
+                    } else {
+                        ast_expr_vstore_to_ty(fcx, ev, vst, ||
+                            ty::mt{ ty: ty::mk_vec(tcx,
+                                                   ty::mt {ty: t, mutbl: mutability},
+                                                   None),
+                                                   mutbl: mutability})
+                    }
                 }
-            }
-            if any_error {
-                ty::mk_err()
-            } else if any_bot {
-                ty::mk_bot()
-            } else {
-                ast_expr_vstore_to_ty(fcx, ev, vst, ||
-                    ty::mt{ ty: ty::mk_vec(tcx,
-                                           ty::mt {ty: t, mutbl: mutability},
-                                           None),
-                            mutbl: mutability })
-            }
-          }
-          ast::ExprRepeat(element, count_expr) => {
-            check_expr_with_hint(fcx, count_expr, ty::mk_uint());
-            let _ = ty::eval_repeat_count(fcx, count_expr);
-            let mutability = match vst {
-                ast::ExprVstoreMutSlice => ast::MutMutable,
-                _ => ast::MutImmutable,
+                ast::ExprLit(_) => {
+                    let error = if vst == ast::ExprVstoreSlice {
+                        "`&\"string\"` has been removed; use `\"string\"` instead"
+                    } else {
+                        "`~\"string\"` has been removed; use `\"string\".to_owned()` instead"
+                    };
+                    tcx.sess.span_err(expr.span, error);
+                    ty::mk_err()
+                }
+                _ => tcx.sess.span_bug(expr.span, "vstore modifier on non-sequence"),
             };
-            let t = fcx.infcx().next_ty_var();
-            check_expr_has_type(fcx, element, t);
-            let arg_t = fcx.expr_ty(element);
-            if ty::type_is_error(arg_t) {
-                ty::mk_err()
-            } else if ty::type_is_bot(arg_t) {
-                ty::mk_bot()
-            } else {
-                ast_expr_vstore_to_ty(fcx, ev, vst, ||
-                    ty::mt{ ty: ty::mk_vec(tcx,
-                                           ty::mt {ty: t, mutbl: mutability},
-                                           None),
-                            mutbl: mutability})
-            }
-          }
-          _ =>
-            tcx.sess.span_bug(expr.span, "vstore modifier on non-sequence")
-        };
-        fcx.write_ty(ev.id, typ);
-        fcx.write_ty(id, typ);
-      }
+            fcx.write_ty(ev.id, typ);
+            fcx.write_ty(id, typ);
+        }
 
       ast::ExprBox(place, subexpr) => {
           check_expr(fcx, place);
diff --git a/src/libserialize/json.rs b/src/libserialize/json.rs
index b87a02fcfd7..fd004bd71d5 100644
--- a/src/libserialize/json.rs
+++ b/src/libserialize/json.rs
@@ -1740,7 +1740,7 @@ impl<T: Iterator<char>> Builder<T> {
             Some(NumberValue(n)) => { Ok(Number(n)) }
             Some(BooleanValue(b)) => { Ok(Boolean(b)) }
             Some(StringValue(ref mut s)) => {
-                let mut temp = ~"";
+                let mut temp = "".to_owned();
                 swap(s, &mut temp);
                 Ok(String(temp))
             }
@@ -2633,16 +2633,16 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(from_str("\""),    Err(SyntaxError(EOFWhileParsingString, 1, 2)));
         assert_eq!(from_str("\"lol"), Err(SyntaxError(EOFWhileParsingString, 1, 5)));
 
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\""), Ok(String(~"")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"foo\""), Ok(String(~"foo")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\\"\""), Ok(String(~"\"")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\b\""), Ok(String(~"\x08")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\n\""), Ok(String(~"\n")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\r\""), Ok(String(~"\r")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\t\""), Ok(String(~"\t")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str(" \"foo\" "), Ok(String(~"foo")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\u12ab\""), Ok(String(~"\u12ab")));
-        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\uAB12\""), Ok(String(~"\uAB12")));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\""), Ok(String("".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"foo\""), Ok(String("foo".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\\"\""), Ok(String("\"".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\b\""), Ok(String("\x08".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\n\""), Ok(String("\n".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\r\""), Ok(String("\r".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\t\""), Ok(String("\t".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str(" \"foo\" "), Ok(String("foo".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\u12ab\""), Ok(String("\u12ab".to_owned())));
+        assert_eq!(from_str("\"\\uAB12\""), Ok(String("\uAB12".to_owned())));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2890,7 +2890,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_find(){
         let json_value = from_str("{\"dog\" : \"cat\"}").unwrap();
         let found_str = json_value.find(&"dog".to_owned());
-        assert!(found_str.is_some() && found_str.unwrap().as_string().unwrap() == &"cat");
+        assert!(found_str.is_some() && found_str.unwrap().as_string().unwrap() == "cat");
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2898,7 +2898,7 @@ mod tests {
         let json_value = from_str("{\"dog\":{\"cat\": {\"mouse\" : \"cheese\"}}}").unwrap();
         let found_str = json_value.find_path(&[&"dog".to_owned(),
                                              &"cat".to_owned(), &"mouse".to_owned()]);
-        assert!(found_str.is_some() && found_str.unwrap().as_string().unwrap() == &"cheese");
+        assert!(found_str.is_some() && found_str.unwrap().as_string().unwrap() == "cheese");
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2906,7 +2906,7 @@ mod tests {
         let json_value = from_str("{\"dog\":{\"cat\": {\"mouse\" : \"cheese\"}}}").unwrap();
         let found_str = json_value.search(&"mouse".to_owned()).and_then(|j| j.as_string());
         assert!(found_str.is_some());
-        assert!(found_str.unwrap() == &"cheese");
+        assert!(found_str.unwrap() == "cheese");
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2946,7 +2946,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_as_string(){
         let json_value = from_str("\"dog\"").unwrap();
         let json_str = json_value.as_string();
-        let expected_str = &"dog";
+        let expected_str = "dog";
         assert_eq!(json_str, Some(expected_str));
     }
 
@@ -3067,7 +3067,7 @@ mod tests {
             r#"{ "foo":"bar", "array" : [0, 1, 2,3 ,4,5], "idents":[null,true,false]}"#,
             ~[
                 (ObjectStart,             ~[]),
-                  (StringValue(~"bar"),   ~[Key("foo")]),
+                  (StringValue("bar".to_owned()),   ~[Key("foo")]),
                   (ListStart,             ~[Key("array")]),
                     (NumberValue(0.0),    ~[Key("array"), Index(0)]),
                     (NumberValue(1.0),    ~[Key("array"), Index(1)]),
@@ -3155,7 +3155,7 @@ mod tests {
                   (NumberValue(1.0),            ~[Key("a")]),
                   (ListStart,                   ~[Key("b")]),
                     (BooleanValue(true),        ~[Key("b"), Index(0)]),
-                    (StringValue(~"foo\nbar"),  ~[Key("b"), Index(1)]),
+                    (StringValue("foo\nbar".to_owned()),  ~[Key("b"), Index(1)]),
                     (ObjectStart,               ~[Key("b"), Index(2)]),
                       (ObjectStart,             ~[Key("b"), Index(2), Key("c")]),
                         (NullValue,             ~[Key("b"), Index(2), Key("c"), Key("d")]),
@@ -3287,7 +3287,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(stack.last_is_index());
         assert!(stack.get(0) == Index(1));
 
-        stack.push_key(~"foo");
+        stack.push_key("foo".to_owned());
 
         assert!(stack.len() == 2);
         assert!(stack.is_equal_to([Index(1), Key("foo")]));
@@ -3299,7 +3299,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(stack.get(0) == Index(1));
         assert!(stack.get(1) == Key("foo"));
 
-        stack.push_key(~"bar");
+        stack.push_key("bar".to_owned());
 
         assert!(stack.len() == 3);
         assert!(stack.is_equal_to([Index(1), Key("foo"), Key("bar")]));
@@ -3363,7 +3363,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     fn big_json() -> ~str {
-        let mut src = ~"[\n";
+        let mut src = "[\n".to_owned();
         for _ in range(0, 500) {
             src = src + r#"{ "a": true, "b": null, "c":3.1415, "d": "Hello world", "e": [1,2,3]},"#;
         }
diff --git a/src/libstd/bitflags.rs b/src/libstd/bitflags.rs
index 8764163ddc5..bf12dd2d94a 100644
--- a/src/libstd/bitflags.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/bitflags.rs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 //!     let mut flags = FlagA | FlagB;
 //!     flags.clear();
 //!     assert!(flags.is_empty());
-//!     assert_eq!(format!("{}", flags), ~"hi!");
+//!     assert_eq!(format!("{}", flags).as_slice(), "hi!");
 //! }
 //! ~~~
 //!
diff --git a/src/libstd/hash/mod.rs b/src/libstd/hash/mod.rs
index ffb41e9781b..e8ca4037f57 100644
--- a/src/libstd/hash/mod.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/hash/mod.rs
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(hasher.hash(&'a'), 97);
 
-        assert_eq!(hasher.hash(& &"a"), 97 + 0xFF);
+        assert_eq!(hasher.hash(&("a")), 97 + 0xFF);
         assert_eq!(hasher.hash(& &[1u8, 2u8, 3u8]), 9);
 
         unsafe {
diff --git a/src/libstd/path/posix.rs b/src/libstd/path/posix.rs
index d69e9b448be..99a281755e4 100644
--- a/src/libstd/path/posix.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/path/posix.rs
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ mod tests {
             ($path:expr, $disp:ident, $exp:expr) => (
                 {
                     let path = Path::new($path);
-                    assert!(path.$disp().to_str() == ~$exp);
+                    assert!(path.$disp().to_str().as_slice() == $exp);
                 }
             )
         )
diff --git a/src/libstd/repr.rs b/src/libstd/repr.rs
index 61154502445..fc0137d00b7 100644
--- a/src/libstd/repr.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/repr.rs
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ fn test_repr() {
     exact_test(&true, "true");
     exact_test(&false, "false");
     exact_test(&1.234, "1.234f64");
-    exact_test(&(&"hello"), "\"hello\"");
+    exact_test(&("hello"), "\"hello\"");
     // FIXME What do I do about this one?
     exact_test(&("he\u10f3llo".to_owned()), "~\"he\\u10f3llo\"");
 
diff --git a/src/libstd/str.rs b/src/libstd/str.rs
index bc7943dd777..b105dd0ca5a 100644
--- a/src/libstd/str.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/str.rs
@@ -2025,12 +2025,12 @@ pub trait StrSlice<'a> {
     /// # Example
     ///
     /// ```rust
-    /// let s = ~"Do you know the muffin man,
-    /// The muffin man, the muffin man, ...";
+    /// let s = "Do you know the muffin man,
+    /// The muffin man, the muffin man, ...".to_owned();
     ///
     /// assert_eq!(s.replace("muffin man", "little lamb"),
-    ///            ~"Do you know the little lamb,
-    /// The little lamb, the little lamb, ...");
+    ///            "Do you know the little lamb,
+    /// The little lamb, the little lamb, ...".to_owned());
     ///
     /// // not found, so no change.
     /// assert_eq!(s.replace("cookie monster", "little lamb"), s);
@@ -3604,11 +3604,11 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_total_ord() {
-        "1234".cmp(& &"123") == Greater;
-        "123".cmp(& &"1234") == Less;
-        "1234".cmp(& &"1234") == Equal;
-        "12345555".cmp(& &"123456") == Less;
-        "22".cmp(& &"1234") == Greater;
+        "1234".cmp(&("123")) == Greater;
+        "123".cmp(&("1234")) == Less;
+        "1234".cmp(&("1234")) == Equal;
+        "12345555".cmp(&("123456")) == Less;
+        "22".cmp(&("1234")) == Greater;
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -4005,7 +4005,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_from_str() {
-      let owned: Option<~str> = from_str(&"string");
+      let owned: Option<~str> = from_str("string");
       assert_eq!(owned, Some("string".to_owned()));
     }
 
diff --git a/src/libstd/vec.rs b/src/libstd/vec.rs
index aeb1bf555e8..fa2f53fcf69 100644
--- a/src/libstd/vec.rs
+++ b/src/libstd/vec.rs
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ impl<T: Clone> Vec<T> {
     ///
     /// ```rust
     /// let mut vec = vec!("hello");
-    /// vec.grow(2, & &"world");
+    /// vec.grow(2, &("world"));
     /// assert_eq!(vec, vec!("hello", "world", "world"));
     /// ```
     pub fn grow(&mut self, n: uint, value: &T) {
@@ -267,8 +267,8 @@ impl<T: Clone> Vec<T> {
     ///
     /// ```rust
     /// let mut vec = vec!("a", "b", "c");
-    /// vec.grow_set(1, & &"fill", "d");
-    /// vec.grow_set(4, & &"fill", "e");
+    /// vec.grow_set(1, &("fill"), "d");
+    /// vec.grow_set(4, &("fill"), "e");
     /// assert_eq!(vec, vec!("a", "d", "c", "fill", "e"));
     /// ```
     pub fn grow_set(&mut self, index: uint, initval: &T, value: T) {
diff --git a/src/libsyntax/ext/base.rs b/src/libsyntax/ext/base.rs
index 90bde60621d..34c4f77bc43 100644
--- a/src/libsyntax/ext/base.rs
+++ b/src/libsyntax/ext/base.rs
@@ -270,22 +270,22 @@ pub fn syntax_expander_table() -> SyntaxEnv {
     }
 
     let mut syntax_expanders = SyntaxEnv::new();
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"macro_rules"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("macro_rules"),
                             IdentTT(~BasicIdentMacroExpander {
                                 expander: ext::tt::macro_rules::add_new_extension,
                                 span: None,
                             },
                             None));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"fmt"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("fmt"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                 ext::fmt::expand_syntax_ext));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"format_args"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("format_args"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                 ext::format::expand_args));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"env"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("env"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::env::expand_env));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"option_env"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("option_env"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::env::expand_option_env));
     syntax_expanders.insert(intern("bytes"),
@@ -297,63 +297,63 @@ pub fn syntax_expander_table() -> SyntaxEnv {
     syntax_expanders.insert(intern("concat"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::concat::expand_syntax_ext));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"log_syntax"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("log_syntax"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::log_syntax::expand_syntax_ext));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"deriving"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("deriving"),
                             ItemDecorator(ext::deriving::expand_meta_deriving));
 
     // Quasi-quoting expanders
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_tokens"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_tokens"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_tokens));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_expr"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_expr"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_expr));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_ty"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_ty"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_ty));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_item"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_item"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_item));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_pat"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_pat"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_pat));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"quote_stmt"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("quote_stmt"),
                        builtin_normal_expander(
                             ext::quote::expand_quote_stmt));
 
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"line"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("line"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_line));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"col"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("col"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_col));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"file"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("file"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_file));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"stringify"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("stringify"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_stringify));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"include"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("include"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_include));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"include_str"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("include_str"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_include_str));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"include_bin"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("include_bin"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_include_bin));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"module_path"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("module_path"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::source_util::expand_mod));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"asm"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("asm"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::asm::expand_asm));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"cfg"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("cfg"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::cfg::expand_cfg));
-    syntax_expanders.insert(intern(&"trace_macros"),
+    syntax_expanders.insert(intern("trace_macros"),
                             builtin_normal_expander(
                                     ext::trace_macros::expand_trace_macros));
     syntax_expanders
diff --git a/src/libsyntax/parse/parser.rs b/src/libsyntax/parse/parser.rs
index 8e6d6719bb9..5d8443b64d5 100644
--- a/src/libsyntax/parse/parser.rs
+++ b/src/libsyntax/parse/parser.rs
@@ -2779,28 +2779,11 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
             }
           }
           token::BINOP(token::AND) | token::ANDAND => {
-              // parse &pat
-              let lo = self.span.lo;
-              self.expect_and();
-              let sub = self.parse_pat();
-              hi = sub.span.hi;
-              // HACK: parse &"..." as a literal of a borrowed str
-              pat = match sub.node {
-                  PatLit(e) => {
-                      match e.node {
-                        ExprLit(lit) if lit_is_str(lit) => {
-                          let vst = @Expr {
-                              id: ast::DUMMY_NODE_ID,
-                              node: ExprVstore(e, ExprVstoreSlice),
-                              span: mk_sp(lo, hi)
-                          };
-                          PatLit(vst)
-                        }
-                        _ => PatRegion(sub),
-                      }
-                  }
-                  _ => PatRegion(sub),
-            };
+            // parse &pat
+            let lo = self.span.lo;
+            self.expect_and();
+            let sub = self.parse_pat();
+            pat = PatRegion(sub);
             hi = self.last_span.hi;
             return @ast::Pat {
                 id: ast::DUMMY_NODE_ID,
diff --git a/src/libtest/lib.rs b/src/libtest/lib.rs
index 6a1b7b4d073..05d38b3d0c1 100644
--- a/src/libtest/lib.rs
+++ b/src/libtest/lib.rs
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ impl<T: Writer> ConsoleTestState<T> {
 
     pub fn write_run_start(&mut self, len: uint) -> io::IoResult<()> {
         self.total = len;
-        let noun = if len != 1 { &"tests" } else { &"test" };
+        let noun = if len != 1 { "tests" } else { "test" };
         self.write_plain(format!("\nrunning {} {}\n", len, noun))
     }
 
diff --git a/src/liburl/lib.rs b/src/liburl/lib.rs
index f875a1a0619..99d9e6ce478 100644
--- a/src/liburl/lib.rs
+++ b/src/liburl/lib.rs
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ fn encode_inner(s: &str, full_url: bool) -> ~str {
  * ```rust
  * use url::encode;
  *
- * let url = encode(&"https://example.com/Rust (programming language)");
+ * let url = encode("https://example.com/Rust (programming language)");
  * println!("{}", url); // https://example.com/Rust%20(programming%20language)
  * ```
  */
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ fn decode_inner(s: &str, full_url: bool) -> ~str {
  * ```rust
  * use url::decode;
  *
- * let url = decode(&"https://example.com/Rust%20(programming%20language)");
+ * let url = decode("https://example.com/Rust%20(programming%20language)");
  * println!("{}", url); // https://example.com/Rust (programming language)
  * ```
  */
diff --git a/src/test/compile-fail/borrowck-move-error-with-note.rs b/src/test/compile-fail/borrowck-move-error-with-note.rs
index ecc9e40c4c2..087e619f213 100644
--- a/src/test/compile-fail/borrowck-move-error-with-note.rs
+++ b/src/test/compile-fail/borrowck-move-error-with-note.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ impl Drop for S {
 }
 
 fn move_in_match() {
-    match S {f:~"foo", g:~"bar"} {
+    match S {f: "foo".to_owned(), g: "bar".to_owned()} {
         S {         //~ ERROR cannot move out of type `S`, which defines the `Drop` trait
             f: _s,  //~ NOTE attempting to move value to here
             g: _t   //~ NOTE and here
diff --git a/src/test/compile-fail/const-cast-different-types.rs b/src/test/compile-fail/const-cast-different-types.rs
index 56ec0bb9296..77c26d9e6de 100644
--- a/src/test/compile-fail/const-cast-different-types.rs
+++ b/src/test/compile-fail/const-cast-different-types.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 // option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed
 // except according to those terms.
 
-static a: &'static str = &"foo";
+static a: &'static str = "foo";
 static b: *u8 = a as *u8; //~ ERROR non-scalar cast
 static c: *u8 = &a as *u8; //~ ERROR mismatched types
 
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/auto-ref-slice-plus-ref.rs b/src/test/run-pass/auto-ref-slice-plus-ref.rs
index 8e0bdfdc740..2c3e6c6f04e 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/auto-ref-slice-plus-ref.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/auto-ref-slice-plus-ref.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ pub fn main() {
     (&[1]).test_imm();
     ("test").test_imm();
     ("test".to_owned()).test_imm();
-    (&"test").test_imm();
+    ("test").test_imm();
 
     // FIXME: Other types of mutable vecs don't currently exist
 
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/estr-slice.rs b/src/test/run-pass/estr-slice.rs
index 2d33ac4e5de..3d6b6ba626d 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/estr-slice.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/estr-slice.rs
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@
 
 
 pub fn main() {
-    let x = &"hello";
-    let v = &"hello";
-    let y : &str = &"there";
+    let x = "hello";
+    let v = "hello";
+    let y : &str = "there";
 
     println!("{}", x);
     println!("{}", y);
@@ -20,15 +20,15 @@ pub fn main() {
     assert_eq!(x[0], 'h' as u8);
     assert_eq!(x[4], 'o' as u8);
 
-    let z : &str = &"thing";
+    let z : &str = "thing";
     assert_eq!(v, x);
     assert!(x != z);
 
-    let a = &"aaaa";
-    let b = &"bbbb";
+    let a = "aaaa";
+    let b = "bbbb";
 
-    let c = &"cccc";
-    let cc = &"ccccc";
+    let c = "cccc";
+    let cc = "ccccc";
 
     println!("{}", a);
 
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/issue-2734.rs b/src/test/run-pass/issue-2734.rs
index a2a9228091e..faf3b090312 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/issue-2734.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/issue-2734.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ fn perform_hax<T: 'static>(x: ~T) -> ~hax: {
 }
 
 fn deadcode() {
-    perform_hax(~~"deadcode");
+    perform_hax(~"deadcode".to_owned());
 }
 
 pub fn main() {
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/issue-2735.rs b/src/test/run-pass/issue-2735.rs
index 327f2cb897f..af6dc66b95b 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/issue-2735.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/issue-2735.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ fn perform_hax<T: 'static>(x: ~T) -> ~hax: {
 }
 
 fn deadcode() {
-    perform_hax(~~"deadcode");
+    perform_hax(~"deadcode".to_owned());
 }
 
 pub fn main() {
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/match-borrowed_str.rs b/src/test/run-pass/match-borrowed_str.rs
index 817a3365a75..3bbd33378d0 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/match-borrowed_str.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/match-borrowed_str.rs
@@ -44,15 +44,15 @@ fn g2(ref_1: &str, ref_2: &str) -> ~str {
 
 pub fn main() {
     assert_eq!(f1("b".to_owned()), "found b".to_owned());
-    assert_eq!(f1(&"c"), "not found".to_owned());
+    assert_eq!(f1("c"), "not found".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(f1("d"), "not found".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(f2("b".to_owned()), "found b".to_owned());
-    assert_eq!(f2(&"c"), "not found (c)".to_owned());
+    assert_eq!(f2("c"), "not found (c)".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(f2("d"), "not found (d)".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(g1("b".to_owned(), "c".to_owned()), "found b,c".to_owned());
-    assert_eq!(g1(&"c", &"d"), "not found".to_owned());
+    assert_eq!(g1("c", "d"), "not found".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(g1("d", "e"), "not found".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(g2("b".to_owned(), "c".to_owned()), "found b,c".to_owned());
-    assert_eq!(g2(&"c", &"d"), "not found (c, d)".to_owned());
+    assert_eq!(g2("c", "d"), "not found (c, d)".to_owned());
     assert_eq!(g2("d", "e"), "not found (d, e)".to_owned());
 }
diff --git a/src/test/run-pass/small-enums-with-fields.rs b/src/test/run-pass/small-enums-with-fields.rs
index e9b87d1900c..060274f1bc7 100644
--- a/src/test/run-pass/small-enums-with-fields.rs
+++ b/src/test/run-pass/small-enums-with-fields.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ macro_rules! check {
             static S: $t = $e;
             let v: $t = $e;
             assert_eq!(S, v);
-            assert_eq!(format!("{:?}", v), ~$s);
-            assert_eq!(format!("{:?}", S), ~$s);
+            assert_eq!(format!("{:?}", v).as_slice(), $s);
+            assert_eq!(format!("{:?}", S).as_slice(), $s);
         });*
     }}
 }