Meaning
What does That’s the Tea mean?
That’s the tea is a popular slang expression dropped at the end of an extensive gossip session, with tea being a slang term for gossip.
A similar expression related to the beloved hot drink of Brits and tittle-tattle is spilling the tea, signifying that the rumors are being spread.
Origin
What's the origin of That’s the Tea?
While the exact origin of the phrase is unclear, it is considered to come from the drag culture of England in the 1980’s or 1990’s.
An early mention of “that’s the tea” can be found in the 1998 movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.
Following the premiere of the motion picture flick, the expression would be adopted more widely, specifically by Americans.
Spread & Usage
How did That’s the Tea spread?
In 2019, “Game of Thrones” actress Sophie Turner started making a series of Instagram stories, giving voice to her opinions and world views, followed by a sip of some beverage, combined with the phrase “that’s the tea”.
External resources
- Bigmoods.com – The More You Meme: That’s the Tea, Sis
- Kansan.com – On the origins of “that’s the tea”