them

Etymology

From Middle English þem, from Old Norse þeim.

pron

1. (in the plural) Those ones.
   1. Used as the direct object of a verb.
      She treated them for a cold.
   2. Used as the indirect object of a verb.
      She wrote them a letter.
   3. Used as the object of a preposition.
      Give it to them.
2. (in the singular) A single person, previously mentioned, especially if of unknown or non-binary gender.
   1. Used as the direct object of a verb.
      If a student has an inappropriate question, whatever you do, do not berate them.
      Place the casualty on their back with feet and legs raised—this is called the shock position. [emphasis in original] Once the casualty is positioned, cover them to preserve body heat, but do not overheat. 2006, St. John Ambulance, First on the Scene: Student Reference Guide, Lesson 2, page 3
      Someone in the crowd around the lifts called sycophantically, ‘Morning, Yaxley!’ Yaxley ignored them. 2007, J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, London: Bloomsbury, 2008, page 270
   2. Used as the indirect object of a verb.
      If one of my patients calls, please bring them their dinner.
   3. Used as the object of a preposition.
      If someone comes and asks for the ticket, just give it to them.

det

1. (dialectal) Those.
   How would you like a scrummage, Andy, with them Scotchmen that stole your mother's chickens this morning? 1835, John Pendleton Kennedy, Horse Shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory Ascendency
   The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat; / Crool Forchin's dirty left 'as smote me soul. / An' all them joys o' life I 'eld so sweet / Is up the pole. 1915, C.J. Dennis, The Songs of the Sentimental Bloke, published 1916, page 13
   "[…] Them two wild horses ain't fit to ride, and I been wonderin' how I was goin' to get you out of this place before them Spanish maybe circle back and finish the job." 2005, Elmer Kelton, Sons of Texas, Tor/Forge, page 111