Boilerplate for adding a reference to the original jQuery selector used to instantiate a widget, which can then be accessed inside of a patched/custom jQuery UI method.

Accessing a jQuery selector inside a patched jQuery UI widget

/* Extend a jQuery Selector to the Widget Options
 * ===================================================
 * Use: Boilerplate for adding a reference to the
 *   original jQuery selector used to instantiate a
 *   widget, which can then be accessed inside of a
 *   patched/custom jQuery UI method.
 *
 * Replace WIDGET with the name of the jQuery UI widget
 * Replace METHOD with the name of the jQuery UI widget
 *   method you are patching
 *
 */

;(function($) {
   
  "use strict";
      
  // keep original reference to the WIDGET plugin and methods
  var _WIDGET= {
        // reference to widget plugin
        fn: $.fn.WIDGET,
      
        // original reference to the jQuery UI method
        METHOD: $.ui.WIDGET.prototype.METHOD
      };
    
  $.ui.WIDGET.prototype.METHOD = function(event){
    // reference original WIDGET selector
    console.log(this.options.selector);
        
    // run original close function
    _WIDGET.METHOD.apply( this, arguments );
  };
    
  // extend the WIDGET options to include the original selector
  $.fn.WIDGET = function(){
    $.extend($.ui.WIDGET.prototype.options, { selector: this.selector });

    // run original WIDGET function
    _WIDGET.fn.apply( this, arguments );
  };
   
})(jQuery);​