Origins
The phrase 'the tea' and its different variations originated in young drag culture especially black drag culture. 'Tea' was first used and originates from the southern parts of the U.S. such as Georgia and Southern Carolina. 'Tea' was first popularized (not the drink) in 1994 with the release of the book 'Midnight In the Garden Of Good And Evil'. Before the popularization the word tea was used strictly for the drink. Tea evolved to what it is now because people would discuss their lives over tea time. Tea time was usually when people shared information and opinions about others and was overtime believably shorted to just tea meaning 'the hot gossip' or 'drama'.