Alternative form of the thing is

(idiomatic, colloquial) Used to introduce the main point or issue, especially as a refutation or negation to a statement made by another speaker.

It appears; it seems; apparently.

(idiomatic) A central or major role in a situation; a position in which one is surrounded by or very involved in complex, changing events.

plural of thing-in-itself

plural of sure thing

(idiomatic) To imagine that one hears sounds that are not actually real; to have auditory hallucinations. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hear, thing.

(idiomatic) To imagine that one sees things that are not actually present; to have visual hallucinations. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see see, thing.

(idiomatic, usually preceded by the) The normal flow and rhythm of daily life or of activities in a specific field.

An informal greeting roughly equivalent to how are you?