gossip

Borrowed from drag and LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, “tea” refers to gossip—juicy, scandalous, or mildly embarrassing information people pretend not to like but absolutely live for. “Spilling the tea” is the joyful act of sharing such information, ideally with dramatic pauses and supportive gasps. The term’s popularity skyrocketed via internet culture, where memes and reaction videos turned gossip consumption into a communal sport. Tea is not just information; it is entertainment, catharsis, and occasionally a fire hazard.

“Spill the tea—what really happened at that party?”