diff --git a/json-c.sym b/json-c.sym
index e69e18b..2d6bd86 100644
--- a/json-c.sym
+++ b/json-c.sym
@@ -166,12 +166,14 @@ JSONC_0.15 {
 
 JSONC_0.16 {
   global:
-    lh_string_data;
-    lh_string_size;
-    lh_string_print;
+    json_key_data;
+    json_key_size;
     json_object_object_add_len;
     json_object_object_add_ex_len;
+    json_object_object_add_key;
     json_object_object_del_len;
+    json_object_object_del_key;
     json_object_object_get_len;
     json_object_object_get_ex_len;
+    json_object_object_get_key;
 } JSONC_0.15;
diff --git a/json_object.c b/json_object.c
index e9fffab..b48b889 100644
--- a/json_object.c
+++ b/json_object.c
@@ -116,12 +116,6 @@ static inline const struct json_object_string *JC_STRING_C(const struct json_obj
 static inline struct json_object *json_object_new(enum json_type o_type, size_t alloc_size,
                                                   json_object_to_json_string_fn *to_json_string);
 
-static int json_object_object_del_internal(struct json_object *jso_base,
-                                           const struct lh_string *key);
-static json_bool json_object_object_get_internal(const struct json_object *jso,
-                                                 const struct lh_string *key,
-                                                 struct json_object **value);
-
 static void json_object_object_delete(struct json_object *jso_base);
 static void json_object_string_delete(struct json_object *jso);
 static void json_object_array_delete(struct json_object *jso);
@@ -512,7 +506,7 @@ static int json_object_object_to_json_string(struct json_object *jso, struct pri
 			printbuf_strappend(pb, " ");
 		indent(pb, level + 1, flags);
 		printbuf_strappend(pb, "\"");
-		json_escape_str(pb, lh_string_data(iter.key), lh_string_size(iter.key), flags);
+		json_escape_str(pb, json_key_data(iter.key), json_key_size(iter.key), flags);
 		if (flags & JSON_C_TO_STRING_SPACED)
 			printbuf_strappend(pb, "\": ");
 		else
@@ -583,20 +577,20 @@ int json_object_object_add_ex(struct json_object *jso, const char *const key,
 int json_object_object_add_ex_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *const key, const int len,
                                   struct json_object *const val, const unsigned opts)
 {
-	// Created on the stack rather than calling `lh_string_new_ptr`
-	// or `lh_string_new_imm` since this saves copying `key` if it turns
+	// Created on the stack rather than calling `json_key_new_ptr`
+	// or `json_key_new_imm` since this saves copying `key` if it turns
 	// out the value already exists in the hash table
-	const struct lh_string hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
-	return json_object_object_add_internal(jso, &hashable, val, opts);
+	const struct json_key hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
+	return json_object_object_add_key(jso, &hashable, val, opts);
 }
 
-int json_object_object_add_internal(struct json_object *jso, const struct lh_string *key,
-                                    struct json_object *const val, const unsigned opts)
+int json_object_object_add_key(struct json_object *jso, const struct json_key *key,
+                               struct json_object *const val, const unsigned opts)
 {
 	struct json_object *existing_value;
 	struct lh_entry *existing_entry;
 	unsigned long hash;
-	/** Required due to the `lh_get_hash` function wanting a `const struct lh_string *` */
+	/** Required due to the `lh_get_hash` function wanting a `const struct json_key *` */
 
 	assert(json_object_get_type(jso) == json_type_object);
 
@@ -619,12 +613,12 @@ int json_object_object_add_internal(struct json_object *jso, const struct lh_str
 	{
 		// need to copy `key` because the caller might have created it
 		// on the stack, which would be more efficient than copying
-		// `lh_string_data` into `key->string.idata` if it had happened
+		// `json_key_data` into `key->string.idata` if it had happened
 		// that `existing_entry` wasn't NULL.
-		const struct lh_string *k =
+		const struct json_key *k =
 		    (opts & JSON_C_OBJECT_KEY_IS_CONSTANT)
-		        ? lh_string_new_ptr(lh_string_size(key), lh_string_data(key))
-		        : lh_string_new_imm(lh_string_size(key), lh_string_data(key));
+		        ? json_key_new_ptr(json_key_size(key), json_key_data(key))
+		        : json_key_new_imm(json_key_size(key), json_key_data(key));
 		// TODO some optimization where (opts & JSON_C_OBJECT_ADD_KEY_IS_NEW)
 		if (k == NULL)
 		{
@@ -632,7 +626,7 @@ int json_object_object_add_internal(struct json_object *jso, const struct lh_str
 		}
 		return lh_table_insert_w_hash(JC_OBJECT(jso)->c_object, k, val, hash,
 		                              opts & ~JSON_C_OBJECT_KEY_IS_CONSTANT);
-		// `struct lh_string` always needs to be freed,
+		// `struct json_key` always needs to be freed,
 		// so JSON_C_OBJECT_KEY_IS_CONSTANT cannot be set
 	}
 	else
@@ -703,8 +697,8 @@ json_bool json_object_object_get_ex_len(const struct json_object *jso, const cha
 	{
 	case json_type_object:
 	{
-		const struct lh_string hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
-		return json_object_object_get_internal(jso, &hashable, value);
+		const struct json_key hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
+		return json_object_object_get_key(jso, &hashable, value);
 	}
 	default:
 		if (value != NULL)
@@ -713,8 +707,8 @@ json_bool json_object_object_get_ex_len(const struct json_object *jso, const cha
 	}
 }
 
-json_bool json_object_object_get_internal(const struct json_object *jso,
-                                          const struct lh_string *key, struct json_object **value)
+json_bool json_object_object_get_key(const struct json_object *jso, const struct json_key *key,
+                                     struct json_object **value)
 {
 	assert(json_object_get_type(jso) == json_type_object);
 	return lh_table_lookup_ex(JC_OBJECT_C(jso)->c_object, key, (void **)value);
@@ -727,11 +721,11 @@ void json_object_object_del(struct json_object *jso, const char *key)
 
 void json_object_object_del_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *key, const int len)
 {
-	const struct lh_string hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
-	json_object_object_del_internal(jso, &hashable);
+	const struct json_key hashable = {.length = len, .str = {.pdata = key}};
+	json_object_object_del_key(jso, &hashable);
 }
 
-int json_object_object_del_internal(struct json_object *jso, const struct lh_string *key)
+int json_object_object_del_key(struct json_object *jso, const struct json_key *key)
 {
 	assert(json_object_get_type(jso) == json_type_object);
 	return lh_table_delete(JC_OBJECT(jso)->c_object, key);
@@ -1721,7 +1715,7 @@ static int json_object_copy_serializer_data(struct json_object *src, struct json
  *
  * This always returns -1 or 1.  It will never return 2 since it does not copy the serializer.
  */
-int json_c_shallow_copy_default(json_object *src, json_object *parent, const struct lh_string *key,
+int json_c_shallow_copy_default(json_object *src, json_object *parent, const struct json_key *key,
                                 size_t index, json_object **dst)
 {
 	switch (src->o_type)
@@ -1769,7 +1763,7 @@ int json_c_shallow_copy_default(json_object *src, json_object *parent, const str
  * Note: caller is responsible for freeing *dst if this fails and returns -1.
  */
 static int json_object_deep_copy_recursive(struct json_object *src, struct json_object *parent,
-                                           const struct lh_string *key_in_parent,
+                                           const struct json_key *key_in_parent,
                                            size_t index_in_parent, struct json_object **dst,
                                            json_c_shallow_copy_fn *shallow_copy)
 {
@@ -1802,7 +1796,7 @@ static int json_object_deep_copy_recursive(struct json_object *src, struct json_
 				return -1;
 			}
 
-			if (json_object_object_add_internal(*dst, iter.key, jso, 0) < 0)
+			if (json_object_object_add_key(*dst, iter.key, jso, 0) < 0)
 			{
 				json_object_put(jso);
 				return -1;
@@ -1876,3 +1870,46 @@ static void json_abort(const char *message)
 		fprintf(stderr, "json-c aborts with error: %s\n", message);
 	abort();
 }
+
+size_t json_key_size(const struct json_key *str)
+{
+	return (str->length > 0) ? (size_t)str->length : (size_t)(-(str->length));
+}
+
+const char *json_key_data(const struct json_key *str)
+{
+	return (str->length > 0) ? str->str.pdata : str->str.idata;
+}
+
+struct json_key *json_key_new_ptr(const size_t length, const char *data)
+{
+	struct json_key *result = malloc(sizeof(struct json_key));
+	if (result == NULL)
+	{
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	result->length = length;
+	result->str.pdata = data;
+	return result;
+}
+
+struct json_key *json_key_new_imm(const size_t length, const char *data)
+{
+	struct json_key *result;
+	if (length >
+	    SSIZE_T_MAX - (sizeof(struct json_key) - sizeof(((struct json_key *)NULL)->str)) - 1)
+	{
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	result =
+	    malloc(sizeof(struct json_key) - sizeof(((struct json_key *)NULL)->str) + length + 1);
+	if (result == NULL)
+	{
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	result->length = -length;
+	char *unconst = _LH_UNCONST(result->str.idata);
+	memcpy(unconst, data, length);
+	unconst[length] = '\0';
+	return result;
+}
diff --git a/json_object.h b/json_object.h
index 6cf2594..771ea73 100644
--- a/json_object.h
+++ b/json_object.h
@@ -456,8 +456,27 @@ JSON_EXPORT int json_object_object_add_ex_len(struct json_object *obj, const cha
                                               const int len, struct json_object *const val,
                                               const unsigned opts);
 
-/** Get the json_object associate with a given object field.
- * Deprecated/discouraged: used json_object_object_get_ex instead.
+/**
+ * @brief Add an object field to a json_object of type json_type_object
+ *
+ * The semantics are identical to `json_object_object_add_ex`, except that @p key
+ * contains both the data and the length.
+ *
+ * @param obj the json_object instance
+ * @param key the object field name (a private copy will be duplicated)
+ * @param val a json_object or NULL member to associate with the given field
+ * @param opts process-modifying options. To specify multiple options, use
+ *             (OPT1|OPT2)
+ * @return On success, @c 0 is returned.
+ *         On error, a negative value is returned.
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT int json_object_object_add_key(struct json_object *obj, const struct json_key *key,
+                                           struct json_object *const val, const unsigned opts);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Get the json_object associate with a given object field.
+ *
+ * @deprecated Deprecated/discouraged: used json_object_object_get_ex instead.
  *
  * This functions exactly like calling
  * @code json_object_object_get_len(obj, key, strlen(key)) @endcode
@@ -469,8 +488,10 @@ JSON_EXPORT int json_object_object_add_ex_len(struct json_object *obj, const cha
  */
 JSON_EXPORT struct json_object *json_object_object_get(const struct json_object *obj,
                                                        const char *key);
-/** Get the json_object associate with a given object field.
- * Deprecated/discouraged: used json_object_object_get_ex_len instead.
+/**
+ * @brief Get the json_object associate with a given object field.
+ *
+ * @deprecated Deprecated/discouraged: used json_object_object_get_ex_len instead.
  *
  * This returns NULL if the field is found but its value is null, or if
  *  the field is not found, or if obj is not a json_type_object.  If you
@@ -496,7 +517,8 @@ JSON_EXPORT struct json_object *json_object_object_get(const struct json_object
 JSON_EXPORT struct json_object *json_object_object_get_len(const struct json_object *obj,
                                                            const char *key, const int len);
 
-/** Get the json_object associated with a given object field.
+/**
+ * @brief Get the json_object associated with a given object field.
  *
  * This functions exactly like calling
  * @code json_object_object_get_ex_len(obj, key, strlen(key), value) @endcode
@@ -513,7 +535,8 @@ JSON_EXPORT struct json_object *json_object_object_get_len(const struct json_obj
 JSON_EXPORT json_bool json_object_object_get_ex(const struct json_object *obj, const char *key,
                                                 struct json_object **value);
 
-/** Get the json_object associated with a given object field.
+/**
+ * @brief Get the json_object associated with a given object field.
  *
  * This returns true if the key is found, false in all other cases (including
  * if obj isn't a json_type_object).
@@ -536,7 +559,29 @@ JSON_EXPORT json_bool json_object_object_get_ex(const struct json_object *obj, c
 JSON_EXPORT json_bool json_object_object_get_ex_len(const struct json_object *obj, const char *key,
                                                     const int len, struct json_object **value);
 
-/** Delete the given json_object field
+/**
+ * @brief Get the json_object associated with a given object field.
+ *
+ * *No* reference counts will be changed.  There is no need to manually adjust
+ * reference counts through the json_object_put/json_object_get methods unless
+ * you need to have the child (value) reference maintain a different lifetime
+ * than the owning parent (obj).  Ownership of value is retained by obj.
+ *
+ * @param obj the json_object instance
+ * @param key the object field name
+ * @param value a pointer where to store a reference to the json_object
+ *              associated with the given field name.
+ *              \n
+ *              It is safe to pass a NULL value.
+ * @returns true if the key is found, false in all other cases (including
+ * if obj isn't a json_type_object)
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT json_bool json_object_object_get_key(const struct json_object *jso,
+                                                 const struct json_key *key,
+                                                 struct json_object **value);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Delete the given json_object field
  *
  * The reference count will be decremented for the deleted object.  If there
  * are no more owners of the value represented by this key, then the value is
@@ -547,7 +592,8 @@ JSON_EXPORT json_bool json_object_object_get_ex_len(const struct json_object *ob
  */
 JSON_EXPORT void json_object_object_del(struct json_object *obj, const char *key);
 
-/** Delete the given json_object field
+/**
+ * @brief Delete the given json_object field
  *
  * The reference count will be decremented for the deleted object.  If there
  * are no more owners of the value represented by this key, then the value is
@@ -558,10 +604,24 @@ JSON_EXPORT void json_object_object_del(struct json_object *obj, const char *key
  *            which is not terminated by a NULL ( @c '\0' ) character
  * @param len the length of @p key
  */
-void json_object_object_del_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *key, const int len);
+JSON_EXPORT void json_object_object_del_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *key,
+                                            const int len);
 
 /**
- * Iterate through all keys and values of an object.
+ * @brief Delete the given json_object field
+ *
+ * The reference count will be decremented for the deleted object.  If there
+ * are no more owners of the value represented by this key, then the value is
+ * freed.  Otherwise, the reference to the value will remain in memory.
+ *
+ * @param obj the json_object instance
+ * @param key the object field name
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT int json_object_object_del_key(struct json_object *jso_base,
+                                           const struct json_key *key);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Iterate through all keys and values of an object.
  *
  * Adding keys to the object while iterating is NOT allowed.
  *
@@ -577,14 +637,14 @@ void json_object_object_del_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *key, const
     (defined(__STDC_VERSION__) && __STDC_VERSION__ >= 199901L)
 
 #define json_object_object_foreach(obj, key, val)                                \
-	struct lh_string *key = NULL;                                            \
+	struct json_key *key = NULL;                                             \
 	struct json_object *val __attribute__((__unused__)) = NULL;              \
 	for (struct lh_entry *entry##key = json_object_get_object(obj)->head,    \
 	                     *entry_next##key = NULL;                            \
 	     ({                                                                  \
 		     if (entry##key)                                             \
 		     {                                                           \
-			     key = (struct lh_string *)lh_entry_k(entry##key);   \
+			     key = (struct json_key *)lh_entry_k(entry##key);    \
 			     val = (struct json_object *)lh_entry_v(entry##key); \
 			     entry_next##key = entry##key->next;                 \
 		     };                                                          \
@@ -608,13 +668,14 @@ void json_object_object_del_len(struct json_object *jso, const char *key, const
 
 #endif /* defined(__GNUC__) && !defined(__STRICT_ANSI__) && (defined(__STDC_VERSION__) && __STDC_VERSION__ >= 199901L) */
 
-/** Iterate through all keys and values of an object (ANSI C Safe)
+/**
+ * @brief Iterate through all keys and values of an object (ANSI C Safe)
  * @param obj the json_object instance
  * @param iter the object iterator, use type json_object_iter
  */
 #define json_object_object_foreachC(obj, iter)                                                  \
 	for (iter.entry = json_object_get_object(obj)->head;                                    \
-	     (iter.entry ? (iter.key = (struct lh_string *)lh_entry_k(iter.entry),              \
+	     (iter.entry ? (iter.key = (struct json_key *)lh_entry_k(iter.entry),               \
 	                   iter.val = (struct json_object *)lh_entry_v(iter.entry), iter.entry) \
 	                 : 0);                                                                  \
 	     iter.entry = iter.entry->next)
@@ -1129,7 +1190,7 @@ JSON_EXPORT int json_object_equal(struct json_object *obj1, struct json_object *
  * @return On success 1 or 2, -1 on errors
  */
 typedef int(json_c_shallow_copy_fn)(json_object *src, json_object *parent,
-                                    const struct lh_string *key, size_t index, json_object **dst);
+                                    const struct json_key *key, size_t index, json_object **dst);
 
 /**
  * The default shallow copy implementation for use with json_object_deep_copy().
@@ -1166,6 +1227,53 @@ JSON_EXPORT json_c_shallow_copy_fn json_c_shallow_copy_default;
 
 JSON_EXPORT int json_object_deep_copy(struct json_object *src, struct json_object **dst,
                                       json_c_shallow_copy_fn *shallow_copy);
+
+/* Json Object Keys */
+
+/**
+ * @brief Get the length of the data stored in a `struct json_key *`
+ *
+ * @param str value to retrieve the length of
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT size_t json_key_size(const struct json_key *str);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Get the data from a `struct json_key *`
+ *
+ * @param str value to retrieve the data from
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT const char *json_key_data(const struct json_key *str);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Creates a new `struct json_key` that uses the `pdata` field.
+ *
+ * This avoids unneeded copying, for cases wher ethe key is in an area of
+ * memory that will not be modified or freed until after this object is freed.
+ *
+ * @param length The length of the data located at @p data
+ * @param data The data to include
+ * @return On success, a pointer to the new key is returned.
+ *         On error, a null pointer is returned.
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT struct json_key *json_key_new_ptr(const size_t length, const char *data);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Creates a new `struct json_key` that uses the `idata` field.
+ *
+ * @param length The length of the data to copy into the returned value
+ * @param data The data to include and copy into the returned value
+ * @return On success, a pointer to the new key is returned.
+ *         On error, a null pointer is returned.
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT struct json_key *json_key_new_imm(const size_t length, const char *data);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Frees the memory associated with a `struct json_key`
+ *
+ * @param key The data to free
+ */
+JSON_EXPORT void json_key_del(const struct json_key *key);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/json_object_iterator.c b/json_object_iterator.c
index 0f065a4..754192a 100644
--- a/json_object_iterator.c
+++ b/json_object_iterator.c
@@ -104,12 +104,12 @@ void json_object_iter_next(struct json_object_iterator *iter)
 /**
  * ****************************************************************************
  */
-const struct lh_string *json_object_iter_peek_name(const struct json_object_iterator *iter)
+const struct json_key *json_object_iter_peek_name(const struct json_object_iterator *iter)
 {
 	JASSERT(NULL != iter);
 	JASSERT(kObjectEndIterValue != iter->opaque_);
 
-	return (const struct lh_string *)(((const struct lh_entry *)iter->opaque_)->k);
+	return (const struct json_key *)(((const struct lh_entry *)iter->opaque_)->k);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/json_object_iterator.h b/json_object_iterator.h
index 8b56479..2e1f969 100644
--- a/json_object_iterator.h
+++ b/json_object_iterator.h
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ JSON_EXPORT void json_object_iter_next(struct json_object_iterator *iter);
  *         deleted or modified, and MUST NOT be modified or
  *         freed by the user.
  */
-JSON_EXPORT const struct lh_string *
+JSON_EXPORT const struct json_key *
 json_object_iter_peek_name(const struct json_object_iterator *iter);
 
 /** Returns a pointer to the json-c instance representing the
diff --git a/json_object_private.h b/json_object_private.h
index 5b08dd1..6ad1044 100644
--- a/json_object_private.h
+++ b/json_object_private.h
@@ -98,27 +98,53 @@ struct json_object_string
 
 void _json_c_set_last_err(const char *err_fmt, ...);
 
-/**
- * @brief Add an object field to a json_object of type json_type_object
- *
- * The semantics are identical to json_object_object_add_ex, except that @p key
- * contains both the data and the length.
- *
- * @param obj the json_object instance
- * @param key the object field name (a private copy will be duplicated)
- * @param val a json_object or NULL member to associate with the given field
- * @param opts process-modifying options. To specify multiple options, use
- *             (OPT1|OPT2)
- * @return On success, @c 0 is returned.
- *         On error, a negative value is returned.
- */
-int json_object_object_add_internal(struct json_object *obj, const struct lh_string *key,
-                                    struct json_object *const val, const unsigned opts);
 /**
  * The characters that can make up hexadecimal numbers
  */
 extern const char *json_hex_chars;
 
+/**
+ * @brief A buffer of characters that may contain null charaters in the middle
+ *
+ * A buffer of data that can hold a normal null-terminated string
+ * (in which case `length` should just be equal to `strlen`)
+ * or a string with embedded null characters (in which case `length` reflects
+ * all the characters that make up the "string").
+ * Either way, this struct can be treated as if it contains null characters,
+ * since the `length` member should always be equal to the proper size of the
+ * buffer and the terminating null character wouldn't be included
+ * (it wouldn't be counted by strlen).
+ */
+struct json_key
+{
+	/**
+	 * @brief Stores the length of the buffer
+	 *
+	 * If the length is positive, then `pdata` should be used.
+	 * Otherwise, idata should be used.
+	 */
+	ssize_t length;
+	union
+	{
+		/**
+		 * @brief A pointer to data that is stored elsewhere
+		 *
+		 * If the data stored there will not change for the lifetime of
+		 * the key, use `pdata` rather than `idata`.
+		 */
+		const char *pdata;
+		/**
+		 * @brief Data stored inline
+		 *
+		 * If the data stored may be overwritten, such as if it is
+		 * copied from the stack, this struct should be allocated with
+		 * enough space to store the whole string (of length `len`)
+		 * and one additional null character.
+		 */
+		const char idata[0];
+	} str;
+};
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/json_tokener.c b/json_tokener.c
index 8fea883..185d06c 100644
--- a/json_tokener.c
+++ b/json_tokener.c
@@ -1106,8 +1106,7 @@ struct json_object *json_tokener_parse_ex(struct json_tokener *tok, const char *
 					printbuf_memappend_fast(tok->pb, case_start,
 					                        str - case_start);
 					obj_field_name =
-					    lh_string_new_imm(tok->pb->bpos, tok->pb->buf);
-					// lh_string_print(obj_field_name, stdout);
+					    json_key_new_imm(tok->pb->bpos, tok->pb->buf);
 					saved_state = json_tokener_state_object_field_end;
 					state = json_tokener_state_eatws;
 					break;
@@ -1155,7 +1154,7 @@ struct json_object *json_tokener_parse_ex(struct json_tokener *tok, const char *
 			goto redo_char;
 
 		case json_tokener_state_object_value_add:
-			json_object_object_add_internal(current, obj_field_name, obj, 0);
+			json_object_object_add_key(current, obj_field_name, obj, 0);
 			free(obj_field_name);
 			obj_field_name = NULL;
 			saved_state = json_tokener_state_object_sep;
diff --git a/json_tokener.h b/json_tokener.h
index 9a0d411..984016a 100644
--- a/json_tokener.h
+++ b/json_tokener.h
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #define _json_tokener_h_
 
 #include "json_object.h"
-#include "linkhash.h"
 #include <stddef.h>
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
@@ -86,7 +85,7 @@ struct json_tokener_srec
 	enum json_tokener_state state, saved_state;
 	struct json_object *obj;
 	struct json_object *current;
-	struct lh_string *obj_field_name;
+	struct json_key *obj_field_name;
 };
 
 #define JSON_TOKENER_DEFAULT_DEPTH 32
diff --git a/json_types.h b/json_types.h
index 2892ef3..a7366f1 100644
--- a/json_types.h
+++ b/json_types.h
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ struct printbuf;
  */
 struct json_object_iter
 {
-	struct lh_string *key;
+	struct json_key *key;
 	struct json_object *val;
 	struct lh_entry *entry;
 };
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ typedef enum json_type
 	json_type_string
 } json_type;
 
+typedef struct json_key json_key;
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/json_visit.c b/json_visit.c
index 43f2ec0..63dc797 100644
--- a/json_visit.c
+++ b/json_visit.c
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 #include "json_visit.h"
 #include "linkhash.h"
 
-static int _json_c_visit(json_object *jso, json_object *parent_jso, const struct lh_string *jso_key,
+static int _json_c_visit(json_object *jso, json_object *parent_jso, const struct json_key *jso_key,
                          size_t *jso_index, json_c_visit_userfunc *userfunc, void *userarg);
 
 int json_c_visit(json_object *jso, int future_flags, json_c_visit_userfunc *userfunc, void *userarg)
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ int json_c_visit(json_object *jso, int future_flags, json_c_visit_userfunc *user
 	default: return JSON_C_VISIT_RETURN_ERROR;
 	}
 }
-static int _json_c_visit(json_object *jso, json_object *parent_jso, const struct lh_string *jso_key,
+static int _json_c_visit(json_object *jso, json_object *parent_jso, const struct json_key *jso_key,
                          size_t *jso_index, json_c_visit_userfunc *userfunc, void *userarg)
 {
 	int userret = userfunc(jso, 0, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
diff --git a/json_visit.h b/json_visit.h
index 21f0013..5edc7a9 100644
--- a/json_visit.h
+++ b/json_visit.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 typedef int(json_c_visit_userfunc)(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                                   const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index,
+                                   const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index,
                                    void *userarg);
 
 /**
diff --git a/linkhash.c b/linkhash.c
index 4bb9844..da5d641 100644
--- a/linkhash.c
+++ b/linkhash.c
@@ -486,62 +486,14 @@ static unsigned long lh_char_hash(const void *k)
 		random_seed = seed; /* potentially racy */
 #endif
 	}
-	return hashlittle(lh_string_data((const struct lh_string *)k),
-	                  lh_string_size((const struct lh_string *)k), random_seed);
+	return hashlittle(json_key_data((const struct json_key *)k),
+	                  json_key_size((const struct json_key *)k), random_seed);
 }
 
 int lh_char_equal(const void *k1, const void *k2)
 {
-	return lh_string_size(k1) == lh_string_size(k2) &&
-	       memcmp(lh_string_data(k1), lh_string_data(k2), lh_string_size(k1)) == 0;
-}
-
-const char *lh_string_data(const struct lh_string *str)
-{
-	return (str->length > 0) ? str->str.pdata : str->str.idata;
-}
-
-size_t lh_string_size(const struct lh_string *str)
-{
-	return (str->length > 0) ? (size_t)str->length : (size_t)(-(str->length));
-}
-
-size_t lh_string_print(const struct lh_string *key, FILE *stream)
-{
-	return fwrite(lh_string_data(key), lh_string_size(key), 1, stream);
-}
-
-struct lh_string *lh_string_new_ptr(const size_t length, const char *data)
-{
-	struct lh_string *result = malloc(sizeof(struct lh_string));
-	if (result == NULL)
-	{
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	result->length = length;
-	result->str.pdata = data;
-	return result;
-}
-
-struct lh_string *lh_string_new_imm(const size_t length, const char *data)
-{
-	struct lh_string *result;
-	if (length >
-	    SSIZE_T_MAX - (sizeof(struct lh_string) - sizeof(((struct lh_string *)NULL)->str)) - 1)
-	{
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	result =
-	    malloc(sizeof(struct lh_string) - sizeof(((struct lh_string *)NULL)->str) + length + 1);
-	if (result == NULL)
-	{
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	result->length = -length;
-	char *unconst = _LH_UNCONST(result->str.idata);
-	memcpy(unconst, data, length);
-	unconst[length] = '\0';
-	return result;
+	return json_key_size(k1) == json_key_size(k2) &&
+	       memcmp(json_key_data(k1), json_key_data(k2), json_key_size(k1)) == 0;
 }
 
 struct lh_table *lh_table_new(int size, lh_entry_free_fn *free_fn, lh_hash_fn *hash_fn,
diff --git a/linkhash.h b/linkhash.h
index a8b82f2..25c980e 100644
--- a/linkhash.h
+++ b/linkhash.h
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #define _json_c_linkhash_h_
 
 #include "json_object.h"
-#include <stdio.h>
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -80,34 +79,6 @@ typedef unsigned long(lh_hash_fn)(const void *k);
  */
 typedef int(lh_equal_fn)(const void *k1, const void *k2);
 
-/**
- * @brief A buffer of characters that may contain null charaters in the middle
- *
- * A buffer of data that can hold a normal null-terminated string
- * (in which case `length` should just be equal to `strlen`)
- * or a string with embedded null characters (in which case `length` reflects
- * all the characters that make up the "string").
- * Either way, this struct can be treated as if it contains null characters,
- * since the `length` member should always be equal to the proper size of the
- * buffer and the terminating null character wouldn't be included
- * (it wouldn't be counted by strlen).
- */
-struct lh_string
-{
-	/**
-	 * @brief Stores the length of the buffer
-	 *
-	 * If the length is positive, then `pdata` should be used.
-	 * Otherwise, idata should be used.
-	 */
-	ssize_t length;
-	union
-	{
-		const char *pdata;
-		const char idata[0];
-	} str;
-};
-
 /**
  * An entry in the hash table
  */
@@ -193,49 +164,6 @@ typedef struct lh_table lh_table;
 #define lh_foreach_safe(table, entry, tmp) \
 	for (entry = table->head; entry && ((tmp = entry->next) || 1); entry = tmp)
 
-/**
- * @brief Get the data from a `struct lh_string *`
- *
- * @param str value to retrieve the data from
- */
-extern const char *lh_string_data(const struct lh_string *str);
-
-/**
- * @brief Get the length of the data stored in a `struct lh_string *`
- *
- * @param str value to retrieve the length of
- */
-extern size_t lh_string_size(const struct lh_string *str);
-
-/**
- * @brief Print a `struct lh_string` to a given stream
- *
- * @param str value to print
- * @param stream Stream to write data to
- */
-extern size_t lh_string_print(const struct lh_string *str, FILE *stream);
-
-/**
- * @brief Creates a new `struct lh_string` using the `pdata` field.
- *
- * This avoids unneeded copying, for cases wher ethe key is in an area of
- * memory that will not be modified or freed until after this object is freed.
- *
- * @param length The length of the data located at @p data
- * @param data The data to include
- * @return `NULL` on error
- */
-extern struct lh_string *lh_string_new_ptr(const size_t length, const char *data);
-
-/**
- * @brief Creates a new `struct lh_string` using the `idata` field.
- *
- * @param length The length of the data to copy into the returned value
- * @param data The data to include and copy into the returned value
- * @return `NULL` on error
- */
-extern struct lh_string *lh_string_new_imm(const size_t length, const char *data);
-
 /**
  * Create a new linkhash table.
  *
diff --git a/tests/test1.c b/tests/test1.c
index aa156f3..f061961 100644
--- a/tests/test1.c
+++ b/tests/test1.c
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	json_object_object_foreach(my_object, key, val)
 	{
 		putchar('\t');
-		lh_string_print(key, stdout);
+		fwrite(json_key_data(key), json_key_size(key), 1, stdout);
 		printf(": %s\n", json_object_to_json_string(val));
 	}
 	printf("my_object.to_string()=%s\n", json_object_to_json_string(my_object));
diff --git a/tests/testReplaceExisting.c b/tests/testReplaceExisting.c
index 5d99212..70369d3 100644
--- a/tests/testReplaceExisting.c
+++ b/tests/testReplaceExisting.c
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	int orig_count = 0;
 	json_object_object_foreach(my_object, key0, val0)
 	{
-		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d", orig_count, lh_string_data(key0),
+		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d", orig_count, json_key_data(key0),
 		       (val0 == NULL));
-		if (strcmp(lh_string_data(key0), "deleteme") == 0)
+		if (strcmp(json_key_data(key0), "deleteme") == 0)
 		{
-			json_object_object_del(my_object, lh_string_data(key0));
+			json_object_object_del(my_object, json_key_data(key0));
 			printf(" (deleted)\n");
 		}
 		else
@@ -38,18 +38,18 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	printf("==== replace-value first loop starting ====\n");
 
-	const struct lh_string *original_key = NULL;
+	const struct json_key *original_key = NULL;
 	orig_count = 0;
 	json_object_object_foreach(my_object, key, val)
 	{
-		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d\n", orig_count, lh_string_data(key),
+		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d\n", orig_count, json_key_data(key),
 		       (val == NULL));
 		orig_count++;
-		if (strcmp(lh_string_data(key), "foo2") != 0)
+		if (strcmp(json_key_data(key), "foo2") != 0)
 			continue;
-		printf("replacing value for key [%s]\n", lh_string_data(key));
+		printf("replacing value for key [%s]\n", json_key_data(key));
 		original_key = key;
-		json_object_object_add(my_object, lh_string_data(key0),
+		json_object_object_add(my_object, json_key_data(key0),
 		                       json_object_new_string("zzz"));
 	}
 
@@ -59,12 +59,12 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	int retval = 0;
 	json_object_object_foreach(my_object, key2, val2)
 	{
-		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d\n", new_count, lh_string_data(key2),
+		printf("Key at index %d is [%s] %d\n", new_count, json_key_data(key2),
 		       (val2 == NULL));
 		new_count++;
-		if (strcmp(lh_string_data(key2), "foo2") != 0)
+		if (strcmp(json_key_data(key2), "foo2") != 0)
 			continue;
-		printf("pointer for key [%s] does %smatch\n", lh_string_data(key2),
+		printf("pointer for key [%s] does %smatch\n", json_key_data(key2),
 		       (key2 == original_key) ? "" : "NOT ");
 		if (key2 != original_key)
 			retval = 1;
diff --git a/tests/test_deep_copy.c b/tests/test_deep_copy.c
index b1c685e..421cb4f 100644
--- a/tests/test_deep_copy.c
+++ b/tests/test_deep_copy.c
@@ -93,14 +93,14 @@ int my_custom_serializer(struct json_object *jso, struct printbuf *pb, int level
 }
 
 json_c_shallow_copy_fn my_shallow_copy;
-int my_shallow_copy(json_object *src, json_object *parent, const struct lh_string *key,
-                    size_t index, json_object **dst)
+int my_shallow_copy(json_object *src, json_object *parent, const struct json_key *key, size_t index,
+                    json_object **dst)
 {
 	int rc;
 	rc = json_c_shallow_copy_default(src, parent, key, index, dst);
 	if (rc < 0)
 		return rc;
-	if (key != NULL && strcmp(lh_string_data(key), "with_serializer") == 0)
+	if (key != NULL && strcmp(json_key_data(key), "with_serializer") == 0)
 	{
 		printf("CALLED: my_shallow_copy on with_serializer object\n");
 		void *userdata = json_object_get_userdata(src);
diff --git a/tests/test_null_keys_add.c b/tests/test_null_keys_add.c
index a2965cd..51a21d8 100644
--- a/tests/test_null_keys_add.c
+++ b/tests/test_null_keys_add.c
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ int main(void)
 		json_object_object_foreach(parsed, key, val)
 		{
 			putchar('\"');
-			fwrite(lh_string_data(key), lh_string_size(key), 1, stdout);
-			printf("\" (%zd)\n", lh_string_size(key));
+			fwrite(json_key_data(key), json_key_size(key), 1, stdout);
+			printf("\" (%zd)\n", json_key_size(key));
 		}
 		return 1;
 	}
diff --git a/tests/test_null_keys_del.expected b/tests/test_null_keys_del.expected
index 44f1682..043cd0c 100644
--- a/tests/test_null_keys_del.expected
+++ b/tests/test_null_keys_del.expected
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 Parsed input: { "biff\u0000": null, "\u0000zxcvbnm": 178 }
 Result is `json_type_object`
-Expected keys ("biff\0" and "\0zxcvbnm") present with expected values
+Expected keys ("biff\u0000" and "\u0000zxcvbnm") present with expected values
 Key deleted properly
 PASS
diff --git a/tests/test_object_iterator.c b/tests/test_object_iterator.c
index 9e0a178..755dd5d 100644
--- a/tests/test_object_iterator.c
+++ b/tests/test_object_iterator.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ int main(int atgc, char **argv)
 
 	while (!json_object_iter_equal(&it, &itEnd))
 	{
-		printf("%s\n", lh_string_data(json_object_iter_peek_name(&it)));
+		printf("%s\n", json_key_data(json_object_iter_peek_name(&it)));
 		printf("%s\n", json_object_to_json_string(json_object_iter_peek_value(&it)));
 		json_object_iter_next(&it);
 	}
diff --git a/tests/test_parse.c b/tests/test_parse.c
index 19238c4..df33d38 100644
--- a/tests/test_parse.c
+++ b/tests/test_parse.c
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ static void do_clear_serializer(json_object *jso)
 }
 
 static int clear_serializer(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                            const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                            const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	if (jso)
 		json_object_set_serializer(jso, NULL, NULL, NULL);
diff --git a/tests/test_visit.c b/tests/test_visit.c
index b226d87..fd4aba5 100644
--- a/tests/test_visit.c
+++ b/tests/test_visit.c
@@ -69,16 +69,16 @@ int main(void)
 }
 
 static int emit_object(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                       const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                       const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	printf("flags: 0x%x, key: %s, index: %ld, value: %s\n", flags,
-	       (jso_key ? lh_string_data(jso_key) : "(null)"), (jso_index ? (long)*jso_index : -1L),
+	       (jso_key ? json_key_data(jso_key) : "(null)"), (jso_index ? (long)*jso_index : -1L),
 	       json_object_to_json_string(jso));
 	return JSON_C_VISIT_RETURN_CONTINUE;
 }
 
 static int skip_arrays(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                       const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                       const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	(void)emit_object(jso, flags, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
 	if (json_object_get_type(jso) == json_type_array)
@@ -87,15 +87,15 @@ static int skip_arrays(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
 }
 
 static int pop_and_stop(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                        const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                        const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	(void)emit_object(jso, flags, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
-	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(lh_string_data(jso_key), "subobj1") == 0)
+	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(json_key_data(jso_key), "subobj1") == 0)
 	{
 		printf("POP after handling subobj1\n");
 		return JSON_C_VISIT_RETURN_POP;
 	}
-	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(lh_string_data(jso_key), "obj3") == 0)
+	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(json_key_data(jso_key), "obj3") == 0)
 	{
 		printf("STOP after handling obj3\n");
 		return JSON_C_VISIT_RETURN_STOP;
@@ -104,10 +104,10 @@ static int pop_and_stop(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
 }
 
 static int err_on_subobj2(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                          const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                          const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	(void)emit_object(jso, flags, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
-	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(lh_string_data(jso_key), "subobj2") == 0)
+	if (jso_key != NULL && strcmp(json_key_data(jso_key), "subobj2") == 0)
 	{
 		printf("ERROR after handling subobj1\n");
 		return JSON_C_VISIT_RETURN_ERROR;
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ static int err_on_subobj2(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
 }
 
 static int pop_array(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                     const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                     const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	(void)emit_object(jso, flags, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
 	if (jso_index != NULL && (*jso_index == 0))
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ static int pop_array(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
 }
 
 static int stop_array(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                      const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                      const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	(void)emit_object(jso, flags, parent_jso, jso_key, jso_index, userarg);
 	if (jso_index != NULL && (*jso_index == 0))
@@ -140,10 +140,10 @@ static int stop_array(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
 }
 
 static int err_return(json_object *jso, int flags, json_object *parent_jso,
-                      const struct lh_string *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
+                      const struct json_key *jso_key, size_t *jso_index, void *userarg)
 {
 	printf("flags: 0x%x, key: %s, index: %ld, value: %s\n", flags,
-	       (jso_key ? lh_string_data(jso_key) : "(null)"), (jso_index ? (long)*jso_index : -1L),
+	       (jso_key ? json_key_data(jso_key) : "(null)"), (jso_index ? (long)*jso_index : -1L),
 	       json_object_to_json_string(jso));
 	return 100;
 }