Thingsthis

Thingsthis is a term used in certain technical, linguistic, and instructional contexts to denote a referent that has not yet been specified or that is determined by context. It functions as a placeholder for objects, concepts, or events described in text, data models, or user interfaces.

Etymology and function: The expression combines “things” and “this” to signal a proximal, deictic reference within the current discourse or interface. As such, thingsthis indicates that the exact identity of the referent should be supplied by the reader, user, or system as appropriate.

Applications: In software design and documentation, thingsthis may label generic items in templates or mockups. In knowledge representation or teaching materials, it marks entities needing specification or clarification. It is not a formal standard and is typically used informally or illustratively.

Limitations and variants: The term can be ambiguous and may impede automated processing if overused. Alternatives include placeholders, tokens, or explicit names that improve clarity and machine interpretability.

See also: placeholder, deictic expression, token. Note: thingsthis has no formal universal definition and usage varies by domain.