From the notes saved in a diary. Author anonymous

THING

""Thing," orthographically and pronouncedly, is one of the ugly words in contemporary American usage. Yet it is also, inferentially and historically, one of the most subtle and beautiful of our words. It is lamentable that we do not speak the way Chaucer spoke. From the year 1400 and a work of Lydgate, Troy-Book , the text reads: "That thei with Paris to Greece schulde wende, To Brynge this thynge to an ende." The Trojan war was a thing? Of course it was a thing, for "thing" means concern, assembly and, above all, an affair. Thing is a woman's menses and a dispute in the town. Thing is a male sex organ and a form of prayer. (The continuity is not intended, although desirable.) Thing is what is to be done or its doing. I can't give you any thing but love, baby. That is the only thing I have plenty of, baby. When you come, bring your things. I forgot to bring my things. My things are packed away. Everything will be all right. And by the way, I hope that things will be better.