spill the tea
spill the tea (idiom)
/ˌspɪl ðə ˈtiː/
Meaning
- To share gossip or reveal personal information, especially of a sensitive nature.
- To disclose secret or private matters, often related to someone’s personal life.
- To divulge confidential or intriguing news, typically in a casual or informal setting.
Example Sentences
- After the meeting, Sarah couldn’t wait to spill the tea about the manager’s unexpected resignation.
- During lunch, Mark spilled the tea on his coworker’s upcoming promotion.
- Everyone gathered around to hear Lisa spill the tea about the celebrity sighting at the local café.
- Jake loves to spill the tea on the latest office romances.
- When asked about the surprise party, Tom accidentally spilled the tea and ruined the surprise.
Origin and History
Roots in Black Drag Culture
The phrase “spill the tea” has its origins in Black drag culture, where “tea” (also spelled “T”) referred to “truth.” This usage is documented in John Berendt’s 1994 book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, where a character mentions, “Yeah, my T. My thing, my business, what’s goin’ on in my life.”
Evolution into Mainstream Vernacular
Over time, “tea” evolved to encompass gossip or personal information. An example from 1991 notes, “Straight life must be so boring… These gay kids carry on… They give you dance and great tea [gossip].” This evolution highlights the term’s transition from meaning “truth” to specifically denoting “gossip.”
Integration into Popular Culture
The phrase gained widespread popularity through its use in television shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and its proliferation on social media platforms. Its catchy nature and the universal appeal of sharing gossip contributed to its mainstream adoption.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest known printed record of “spill the tea” appears in John Berendt’s 1994 book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, where “T” is used to denote “truth.”
Synonyms
- spill the beans
- let the cat out of the bag
- dish the dirt
- give the lowdown
- reveal the scoop
Variants
- spill tea
- spilling the tea
- spill that tea
- spill some tea
- spill all the tea
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