diff --git a/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.cpp b/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.cpp
index 1da79475..3fccdd8b 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.cpp
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ void customlevelclass::getDirectoryData(void)
     }
 
 }
-bool customlevelclass::getLevelMetaData(std::string& _path, LevelMetaData& _data )
+bool customlevelclass::getLevelMetaData(const std::string& _path, LevelMetaData& _data )
 {
     unsigned char *uMem;
     FILESYSTEM_loadFileToMemory(_path.c_str(), &uMem, NULL, true);
@@ -1264,7 +1264,7 @@ fail:
 }
 
 #ifndef NO_EDITOR
-bool customlevelclass::save(std::string& _path)
+bool customlevelclass::save(const std::string& _path)
 {
     tinyxml2::XMLDocument doc;
 
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.h b/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.h
index 9e0871ce..f137c870 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.h
+++ b/desktop_version/src/CustomLevels.h
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public:
   
     void loadZips(void);
     void getDirectoryData(void);
-    bool getLevelMetaData(std::string& filename, LevelMetaData& _data );
+    bool getLevelMetaData(const std::string& filename, LevelMetaData& _data );
   
     void reset(void);
     const int* loadlevel(int rxi, int ryi);
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public:
 
     bool load(std::string& _path);
 #ifndef NO_EDITOR
-    bool save(std::string& _path);
+    bool save(const std::string& _path);
 #endif
     void generatecustomminimap(void);
   
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Editor.cpp b/desktop_version/src/Editor.cpp
index 8aa8e99b..9429c18d 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Editor.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Editor.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ void editorclass::gethooks(void)
     }
 }
 
-void editorclass::loadhookineditor(std::string t)
+void editorclass::loadhookineditor(const std::string& t)
 {
     //Find hook t in the scriptclass, then load it into the editor
     clearscriptbuffer();
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ void editorclass::loadhookineditor(std::string t)
     }
 }
 
-void editorclass::addhooktoscript(std::string t)
+void editorclass::addhooktoscript(const std::string& t)
 {
     //Adds hook+the scriptbuffer to the end of the scriptclass
     removehookfromscript(t);
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ void editorclass::addhooktoscript(std::string t)
     script.customscripts.push_back(script_);
 }
 
-void editorclass::removehookfromscript(std::string t)
+void editorclass::removehookfromscript(const std::string& t)
 {
     /* Find hook t in the scriptclass, then removes it (and any other code with it)
      * When this loop reaches the end, it wraps to SIZE_MAX; SIZE_MAX + 1 is 0 */
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ void editorclass::removehookfromscript(std::string t)
     }
 }
 
-void editorclass::removehook(std::string t)
+void editorclass::removehook(const std::string& t)
 {
     //Check the hooklist for the hook t. If it's there, remove it from here and the script
     size_t i;
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ void editorclass::removehook(std::string t)
     }
 }
 
-void editorclass::addhook(std::string t)
+void editorclass::addhook(const std::string& t)
 {
     //Add an empty function to the list in both editor and script
     removehook(t);
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ void editorclass::addhook(std::string t)
     addhooktoscript(t);
 }
 
-bool editorclass::checkhook(std::string t)
+bool editorclass::checkhook(const std::string& t)
 {
     //returns true if hook t already is in the list
     for(size_t i=0; i<hooklist.size(); i++)
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Editor.h b/desktop_version/src/Editor.h
index 6abbffac..c9dda9d3 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Editor.h
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Editor.h
@@ -149,14 +149,14 @@ public:
     int pagey;
 
     //Functions for interfacing with the script:
-    void addhook(std::string t);
-    void removehook(std::string t);
-    void addhooktoscript(std::string t);
-    void removehookfromscript(std::string t);
-    void loadhookineditor(std::string t);
+    void addhook(const std::string& t);
+    void removehook(const std::string& t);
+    void addhooktoscript(const std::string& t);
+    void removehookfromscript(const std::string& t);
+    void loadhookineditor(const std::string& t);
     void clearscriptbuffer(void);
     void gethooks(void);
-    bool checkhook(std::string t);
+    bool checkhook(const std::string& t);
     std::vector<std::string> hooklist;
 
     int hookmenupage, hookmenu;
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Game.cpp b/desktop_version/src/Game.cpp
index 22ad396e..3b0310f3 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Game.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Game.cpp
@@ -5012,7 +5012,7 @@ void Game::readmaingamesave(const char* savename, tinyxml2::XMLDocument& doc)
 
 }
 
-void Game::customloadquick(std::string savfile)
+void Game::customloadquick(const std::string& savfile)
 {
     tinyxml2::XMLDocument doc;
     tinyxml2::XMLHandle hDoc(&doc);
@@ -5541,7 +5541,7 @@ std::string Game::writemaingamesave(tinyxml2::XMLDocument& doc)
 }
 
 
-bool Game::customsavequick(std::string savfile)
+bool Game::customsavequick(const std::string& savfile)
 {
     const std::string levelfile = savfile.substr(7);
 
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Game.h b/desktop_version/src/Game.h
index 07493cf7..6a437ac7 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Game.h
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Game.h
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public:
 
     void resetgameclock(void);
 
-    bool customsavequick(std::string savfile);
+    bool customsavequick(const std::string& savfile);
     bool savequick(void);
 
     void gameclock(void);
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ public:
 
     void deathsequence(void);
 
-    void customloadquick(std::string savfile);
+    void customloadquick(const std::string& savfile);
     void loadquick(void);
 
     void customdeletequick(const std::string& file);
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Graphics.cpp b/desktop_version/src/Graphics.cpp
index 4087b679..6441b4cf 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Graphics.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Graphics.cpp
@@ -545,11 +545,11 @@ void Graphics::do_print(
     }
 }
 
-void Graphics::Print( int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen /*= false*/ ) {
+void Graphics::Print( int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen /*= false*/ ) {
     return PrintAlpha(_x,_y,_s,r,g,b,255,cen);
 }
 
-void Graphics::PrintAlpha( int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen /*= false*/ )
+void Graphics::PrintAlpha( int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen /*= false*/ )
 {
     if (cen)
         _x = ((160 ) - ((len(_s)) / 2));
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ void Graphics::PrintWrap(
 }
 
 
-void Graphics::bigprint(  int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, int sc )
+void Graphics::bigprint(  int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, int sc )
 {
     if (cen)
     {
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ void Graphics::bigprint(  int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, b
     return do_print(_x, _y, _s, r, g, b, 255, sc);
 }
 
-void Graphics::bigbprint(int x, int y, std::string s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, int sc)
+void Graphics::bigbprint(int x, int y, const std::string& s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, int sc)
 {
     if (!notextoutline)
     {
@@ -703,10 +703,10 @@ void Graphics::bigbprint(int x, int y, std::string s, int r, int g, int b, bool
     bigprint(x, y, s, r, g, b, cen, sc);
 }
 
-int Graphics::len(std::string t)
+int Graphics::len(const std::string& t)
 {
     int bfontpos = 0;
-    std::string::iterator iter = t.begin();
+    std::string::const_iterator iter = t.begin();
     while (iter != t.end()) {
         int cur = utf8::unchecked::next(iter);
         bfontpos += bfontlen(cur);
@@ -714,11 +714,11 @@ int Graphics::len(std::string t)
     return bfontpos;
 }
 
-void Graphics::bprint( int x, int y, std::string t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen /*= false*/ ) {
+void Graphics::bprint( int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen /*= false*/ ) {
     bprintalpha(x,y,t,r,g,b,255,cen);
 }
 
-void Graphics::bprintalpha( int x, int y, std::string t, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen /*= false*/ )
+void Graphics::bprintalpha( int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen /*= false*/ )
 {
     if (!notextoutline)
     {
@@ -1370,7 +1370,7 @@ void Graphics::textboxtimer( int t )
     textbox[m].timer=t;
 }
 
-void Graphics::addline( std::string t )
+void Graphics::addline( const std::string& t )
 {
     if (!INBOUNDS_VEC(m, textbox))
     {
@@ -1394,7 +1394,7 @@ void Graphics::textboxadjust(void)
 
 
 void Graphics::createtextboxreal(
-    std::string t,
+    const std::string& t,
     int xp,
     int yp,
     int r,
@@ -1420,7 +1420,7 @@ void Graphics::createtextboxreal(
 }
 
 void Graphics::createtextbox(
-    std::string t,
+    const std::string& t,
     int xp,
     int yp,
     int r,
@@ -1431,7 +1431,7 @@ void Graphics::createtextbox(
 }
 
 void Graphics::createtextboxflipme(
-    std::string t,
+    const std::string& t,
     int xp,
     int yp,
     int r,
@@ -3184,7 +3184,7 @@ void Graphics::renderfixedpost(void)
 	}
 }
 
-void Graphics::bigrprint(int x, int y, std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, float sc)
+void Graphics::bigrprint(int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, float sc)
 {
 	x = x /  (sc);
 
@@ -3202,7 +3202,7 @@ void Graphics::bigrprint(int x, int y, std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool
 	return do_print(x, y, t, r, g, b, 255, sc);
 }
 
-void Graphics::bigbrprint(int x, int y, std::string& s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, float sc)
+void Graphics::bigbrprint(int x, int y, const std::string& s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, float sc)
 {
 	if (!notextoutline)
 	{
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Graphics.h b/desktop_version/src/Graphics.h
index d64de153..f5bcafd9 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Graphics.h
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Graphics.h
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public:
 	void setwarprect(int a, int b, int c, int d);
 
 	void createtextboxreal(
-		std::string t,
+		const std::string& t,
 		int xp,
 		int yp,
 		int r,
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public:
 		bool flipme
 	);
 	void createtextbox(
-		std::string t,
+		const std::string& t,
 		int xp,
 		int yp,
 		int r,
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public:
 		int b
 	);
 	void createtextboxflipme(
-		std::string t,
+		const std::string& t,
 		int xp,
 		int yp,
 		int r,
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ public:
 
 	void textboxadjust(void);
 
-	void addline(std::string t);
+	void addline(const std::string& t);
 
 	void textboxtimer(int t);
 
@@ -133,9 +133,9 @@ public:
 
 	void do_print(int x, int y, const std::string& text, int r, int g, int b, int a, int scale);
 
-	void Print(int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false);
+	void Print(int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false);
 
-	void PrintAlpha(int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen = false);
+	void PrintAlpha(int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen = false);
 
 	bool next_wrap(size_t* start, size_t* len, const char* str, int maxwidth);
 
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ public:
 
 	void PrintWrap(int x, int y, const char* str, int r, int g, int b, bool cen, int linespacing, int maxwidth);
 
-	void bprint(int x, int y, std::string t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false);
+	void bprint(int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false);
 
-	void bprintalpha(int x, int y, std::string t, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen = false);
+	void bprintalpha(int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, int a, bool cen = false);
 
-	int len(std::string t);
-	void bigprint( int _x, int _y, std::string _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, int sc = 2 );
-	void bigbprint(int x, int y, std::string s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, int sc = 2);
+	int len(const std::string& t);
+	void bigprint( int _x, int _y, const std::string& _s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, int sc = 2 );
+	void bigbprint(int x, int y, const std::string& s, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, int sc = 2);
 	void drawspritesetcol(int x, int y, int t, int c);
 
 
@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ public:
 
 	void drawtrophytext(void);
 
-	void bigrprint(int x, int y, std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, float sc = 2);
-	void bigbrprint(int x, int y, std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, float sc = 2);
+	void bigrprint(int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, float sc = 2);
+	void bigbrprint(int x, int y, const std::string& t, int r, int g, int b, bool cen = false, float sc = 2);
 
 
 	void drawtele(int x, int y, int t, Uint32 c);
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Textbox.cpp b/desktop_version/src/Textbox.cpp
index 797a7b3c..73e7f0c5 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Textbox.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Textbox.cpp
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ void textboxclass::resize(void)
     h = (line.size() + 2) * 8;
 }
 
-void textboxclass::addline(std::string t)
+void textboxclass::addline(const std::string& t)
 {
     line.push_back(t);
     resize();
diff --git a/desktop_version/src/Textbox.h b/desktop_version/src/Textbox.h
index f319927e..e9ad48ed 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/Textbox.h
+++ b/desktop_version/src/Textbox.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
 
     void resize(void);
 
-    void addline(std::string t);
+    void addline(const std::string& t);
 public:
     //Fundamentals
     std::vector<std::string> line;