

In 1991’s One of the Children: An Ethnography of Identity and Gay Black Men by William G. Merriam-Webster claimed the phrase actually originated in black drag culture, just like the term “shade.” But this kind of tea doesn’t have anything to do with the herbal beverage. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence to prove this. As the story goes, women would sit on their front porches and gossip while drinking tea. But where did this phrase “spill the tea” come from? The ‘Spill The Tea’ Origin StoryĪccording to the first definition published in the Urban Dictionary, the phrase “spill the tea” means “gossip or personal information belonging to someone else the scoop the news.” But why? How did this happen?Ĭhalk Magazine reported the theory that the phrase “spill the tea” goes all the way back to the late 18th century. When exploring these platforms, you’ll probably find phrases like “Give me the tea” and “Where’s the tea?” You might even see a tweet that features Kermit the Frog sipping a Lipton tea. TikTok and Twitter are fertile tea breeding grounds for exclusive details about everything from major court cases to the latest season of 90 Day Fiancé. There’s not a day that goes by where someone isn’t “spilling the tea” on something. "The Ritz-Carlton staff in London always can tell it's an American when they call for high tea at 2 in the afternoon," Richardson says.The internet has turned sharing juicy gossip into a sport, and social media has made it a regular part of life. Using the term "high tea" when you really mean "afternoon tea" is a dead giveaway you're American. Richardson says the name high tea probably evolved from the fact that this evening meal was served at proper dinner tables, rather than on couches or settees. Dinner was served midday in the 1800s, but in practice, working stiffs didn't have the luxury of an afternoon lunch break, so they took tea right after work with heartier fare - like pies, meats and cheeses - to sate their hunger.

In the 1800s, he says, "a suitable mate could be easily dropped if you saw him mishandling how he put his spoon on his saucer after he stirred his cup."įortunately, the pressure is off when it comes to high tea.ĭespite its name, high tea actually originated with the lower classes. "Women could tell a lot about a man by how he handled a tea cup back then," Richardson says.

If you think that's rough, tea etiquette was stricter back in the day. It occurs, as the name implies, at 11 in the morning.Ī photo posted by T. Outside of Middle Earth, this late-morning work break involves a light snack - think muffins, scones or biscuits - and a hot tea or coffee. The Salt is here to explain British social tea times.įirst up is elevenses, which you might have heard of as a hobbit's third meal of the day.

Should you raise your pinky while sipping? And, more importantly, what time do the Brits take tea, anyway? Not to worry. We're talking a good, old-fashioned English tea time, with finger sandwiches, dainty china cups and all the formality a Downton Abbey lover could wish for.īut wait, you know nothing about taking tea in Britain. You've visited Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tower of London, but there's one more thing you want to check off your to-do list: tea. If you're looking for finger sandwiches, dainty desserts and formality, afternoon tea is your cup.
