What is a more specific word for a 'thing'?
By thing I mean as in "how is that still a thing?" or "people are doing that, is that a thing now?". Things can also happen, as in "stop trying to make fetch happen."
I suppose things are common behaviours in a group performed and accepted by a substantial number of people. The best specific word I can come up to describe a 'thing' is the term 'phenomenon', but is there something more appropriate?
Solution 1:
'How is that still in vogue ' would do
In vogue refers to the fact that it is still in fashion or the majority take a liking in doing something in a particular vogue.
Example- Traditional dresses like sarees are still -'in vogue' in india.
Solution 2:
How is that still trending?
I think that would be best especially today as social media has made the whole label of "trending" much a trend itself.
Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter just to name a few!
Solution 3:
According to Thesaurus.com, synonyms of in-thing include:
A go-go, all the rage, chic, chichi*, contemporary, current, customary, dashing, faddy, favored, fly*, genteel, hot*, in style, in vogue, in-thing, last word, latest, latest thing, mod, modern, modish, natty, new, newfangled, now, popular, prevailing, rakish, smart, swank, trendsetting, trendy, up-to-the-minute, upscale, usual, well-liked, with it, á la mode
Take your pick, based on the specific context.
P.S. In-thing appears to be equivalent to thing in your two examples. You could substitute "an in-thing" in both cases.
Solution 4:
The word you are seeking might be "trend".
Or fad. (I noticed someone already posted that as a comment on the question) "[H]ow is that still a thing?" becomes "how is that still a trend?", and when it comes to stopping "things" from happening, "stop trying to make 'things' happen" becomes "stop trying to make trends happen".
Sometimes, as in the "trying to make happen" sentence above, meme is a more appropriate word. (the specific phenomena being railed against is known as "forcing a meme")
If you want to be certain you are referring to a "thing", you can of course as mentioned by other posters use in-thing.
Solution 5:
How's this still "an issue", "a mania" or "a phenomenon" may fit.
"issue" - "something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc."
"mania" -" extreme enthusiasm for something that is usually shared by many people", "an excessively intense enthusiasm, interest, or desire".
"phenomenon" - "something that is very impressive or popular"
A good word or phrase to replace "thing" largely depends on what "thing" you're talking about. When I was a student, my English teacher told us to avoid using "thing" in a composition or essay whenever possible, and try to replace it with a more descriptive word.
Examples:
- Let me tell you everything about... (use "all the details")
- One thing that I won't accept here is vandalism. (use "behavior")
- Hemingway wrote about many different things (use "subjects")
- Earthquakes and hurricanes are things... (use "natural phenomena")
- This new TV set has some very interesting things. (use "features")