diff --git a/src/cursor.C b/src/cursor.C
index b9e0c54382..1bbae28a5c 100644
--- a/src/cursor.C
+++ b/src/cursor.C
@@ -379,15 +379,6 @@ void LCursor::getPos(int & x, int & y) const
 }
 
 
-// Don't use this routine. It is erroneous: LFUN_PASTE should be called with
-// buffer number, not data to be inserted -- MV 26.02.2006
-void LCursor::paste(string const & data)
-{
-	if (!data.empty())
-		dispatch(FuncRequest(LFUN_PASTE, data));
-}
-
-
 void LCursor::resetAnchor()
 {
 	anchor_ = *this;
diff --git a/src/mathed/math_nestinset.C b/src/mathed/math_nestinset.C
index 0732cd20a1..3d54c3f35b 100644
--- a/src/mathed/math_nestinset.C
+++ b/src/mathed/math_nestinset.C
@@ -712,6 +712,7 @@ void MathNestInset::doDispatch(LCursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 			// do superscript if LyX handles
 			// deadkeys
 			recordUndo(cur, Undo::ATOMIC);
+			safe_ = grabAndEraseSelection(cur);
 			script(cur, true);
 		}
 		break;
@@ -883,12 +884,10 @@ void MathNestInset::doDispatch(LCursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 // math-insert only handles special math things like "matrix".
 	case LFUN_INSERT_MATH: {
 		recordUndo(cur, Undo::ATOMIC);
-		MathArray ar;
-		asArray(cmd.argument, ar);
-		int cell(0);
-		if (cmd.argument == "\\root")
-			cell = 1;
-		cur.niceInsert(cmd.argument);
+		if (cmd.argument == "^" || cmd.argument == "_") {
+			interpret(cur, cmd.argument[0]);
+		} else
+			cur.niceInsert(cmd.argument);
 		break;
 		}
 
@@ -1094,6 +1093,9 @@ void MathNestInset::lfunMouseRelease(LCursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 bool MathNestInset::interpret(LCursor & cur, char c)
 {
 	//lyxerr << "interpret 2: '" << c << "'" << endl;
+	if (c == '^' || c == '_')
+		safe_ = grabAndEraseSelection(cur);
+
 	cur.clearTargetX();
 
 	// handle macroMode
@@ -1246,7 +1248,6 @@ bool MathNestInset::script(LCursor & cur, bool up)
 	}
 
 	cur.macroModeClose();
-	string safe = grabAndEraseSelection(cur);
 	if (asScriptInset() && cur.idx() == 0) {
 		// we are in a nucleus of a script inset, move to _our_ script
 		MathScriptInset * inset = asScriptInset();
@@ -1277,9 +1278,9 @@ bool MathNestInset::script(LCursor & cur, bool up)
 		cur.idx() = 1;
 		cur.pos() = 0;
 	}
-	//lyxerr << "pasting 1: safe:\n" << safe << endl;
-	cur.paste(safe);
+	//lyxerr << "inserting 1: safe:\n" << safe_ << endl;
+	cur.niceInsert(safe_);
 	cur.resetAnchor();
-	//lyxerr << "pasting 2: safe:\n" << safe << endl;
+	//lyxerr << "inserting 2: safe:\n" << safe_ << endl;
 	return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/mathed/math_nestinset.h b/src/mathed/math_nestinset.h
index 72bdcd4536..dda150a6db 100644
--- a/src/mathed/math_nestinset.h
+++ b/src/mathed/math_nestinset.h
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ protected:
 	cells_type cells_;
 	/// if the inset is locked, it can't be entered with the cursor
 	bool lock_;
+	///
+	std::string safe_;
 };
 
 #endif