The term is often used in literature, music, films, TV, radio, and other media.
The poem focuses on the arrival of spring, and uses personification to bring the natural world to life.
to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot, To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind, To breathe th' inspiring spirit, and to plant The generous purpose in the glowing breast.
The word idea comes from Greek ἰδέα idea "form, pattern",[3] and The American Encyclopaedic Dictionary (1894) gives "To teach the young idea how to shoot" as an example for the word "shoot", meaning "To make progress; to advance";[4] so the phrase "To teach the young idea how to shoot" describes the forming and training of the young.
For example: I had the view of a castle of romance inhabited by a rosy sprite, such a place as would somehow, for diversion of the young idea, take all color out of storybooks and fairytales.