Tea

Tea (noun / US Slang)

(Also heard as: The tea, Spill the tea, What’s the tea)

Definition:

In slang, tea means gossip, juicy news or the truth about something. “What’s the tea?” asks what is going on.

Where Tea Comes From:

It comes from Black American and drag ball culture, where “T” stood for “truth”, reinforced by the image of gossiping over tea. It reached the mainstream via drag shows, social media and memes in the 2010s.

How People Actually Use Tea:

Used to ask for or share gossip: “I’ve got tea about the party”. Also in phrases like “sip the tea” and “spill the tea”.

Is Tea Rude?

No, though the gossip itself can be unkind.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Girl, I have so much tea.”Meaning: I have lots of gossip.
• “What’s the tea on the new boss?”Meaning: What have you heard about the boss?
• “That’s the tea, honestly.”Meaning: That’s the truth.

Similar Slang:

Spill the Tea, Receipts, Snitch, Lore

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