Terse Font Icons

data_icon.css

a[data-icon]:before,
span[data-icon]:before {
  font-family: 'Icon Font Here';
  content: attr(data-icon);
}

/*

  This would also work, but other web developers might
  yell at you about "performance" which may/not matter:

*/

*[data-icon]:before {
  font-family: 'Icon Font Here';
  content: attr(data-icon);
}

data_icon.html

<!-- Assuming "+" is your font's Add icon -->

<a data-icon="+" href="...">
  Add
</a>

<!-- Assuming "D" is your font's Delete icon -->

<span data-icon="D">
  Delete
</span>

Since browsers parse CSS selectors from right to left, I understand that it won't make a huge difference. Cause in both cases the browser will look for the attribute in all elements anyway.

I know about the highlight issue. I just thought you might have some other reason other than saving bytes or performance, that's why I asked.

Nope, no good reason, really. Just a cut-and-paste from my text editor. :)