What Does Spill the Tea Mean?
Spilling the tea is an expression that means to gossip or share confidential information, often involving juicy details. This catchphrase originated with drag queens in the early 20th century and has been used more recently in the LGBTQ+ communities, and became popularized by the internet and social media in the 2010s.
Etymology
The phrase “spill the tea” is an idiomatic expression believed to have originated in the early 20th century as an extension of “spill the beans.” The Oxford English Dictionary attributes the catchphrase to the gay and drag communities in America, starting around 2000.
Meaning
In modern slang, “spill the tea” is used by young people to mean to gossip and to tell secrets, often juicy, scandalous, or confidential information. It can also be used to publicly disclose private matters, especially when unwanted or distasteful.
Examples
- Alice: “Did you hear what happened at Bob’s party last night?”
- John: “Let’s go somewhere more private so I can spill the tea.”
- Sandra: “Let’s spill the tea about what’s been going on with Jenny’s family.”
- Derek: “I heard some really juicy gossip, do you want me to spill the tea?”
