subs. phr. (colloquial).—An immature girl: in mild contempt or pity: e.g., ‘She’s but a YOUNG THING.’
1360. Syr Gawayn [E.E.T.S.], 49 [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 57. A lady calls herself ‘a YOUNG THING,’ a phrase not yet lost].
