jQuery thisOrNothin() firstOrNothin() - get a real NULL if nothing matches, current stack is empty or elem.length is zero 0

jquery.thisOrNothin.firstOrNothin.js

(function($) {
  $.fn.thisOrNothin = $.fn.thisOrNothing = function(search) {
    // thisOrNothing(search) - gives back what you gave it, unless it's empty
    // use the optional search to filter by selectors
    // EX: $('div').thisOrNothing('.hidden')
    // *Note: Don't you go chainin' this now... if it's NULL it'll blow

    // First attempt to filter
    var filtered = search ? this.filter(search) : this;

    // Return the filtered collection if length, else return null
    return (filtered.length) ? filtered : null;
  };
})(jQuery);

(function($) {
  $.fn.firstOrNothin = $.fn.firstOrNothing = function(search) {
    // firstOrNothing(search) - returns a collection's first matched element, unless it's empty
    // use the optional search to filter by selectors
    // EX: $('div').firstOrNothing('hidden')
    // *Note: This ain't be for chainin' things... so best just don't

    // First attempt to filter
    var filtered = search ? this.filter(search) : this;

    // Return the filtered first element if any, else return null
    return (filtered.length) ? filtered.eq(0) : null;
  };
})(jQuery);