def split_text(text, operand='+', plusified=''):
    """
    Replaces whitespaces with the operand (default: +)
    Depending on the use case, may want to set operand='%2B'
    """

    term_list = text.split()

    for term in term_list:
        plusified += term + operand

    return plusified[:-len(operand)]