A New Definition

My hubby has a birthday coming up on Nov. 12th, but we celebrated with some of the family last Sunday [a week early] because our son, Steve, will be out of town on the 12th.

After church, Steve, Sharon, Brooke, Jerry and me made our way to Lucky's Restaurant in Imlay City where our daughter and son-in-law joined us.  We had a great time fellowshipping together.

By the way, the wine bottles on the table were there when we arrived and remained unopened since none of us imbibe alcoholic beverages.  Just avoiding any possible misconceptions.  ;-)

On the ride to Imlay City, granddaughter Brooke, who is a Gen Z 21-year-old, told me the contemporary term used by young people these days for asking one another the latest news is "what's the tea", "spill the tea", "serve the tea" or "give us the tea".  Translated, to share juicy or exclusive details [gossip] about a person or situation.   But it doesn't always have to be used in a gossip context.  It can also be an alternative way of asking, "what's new with you?"

The Urban Dictionary says the slang term "tea" originated from a southern custom amongst women who gathered in the afternoon to drink tea and gossip.   Other sources attribute it to the early 1990's when drag queen Lady Chablis used the term in a book.          

However it originated, it's very popular as a slang term on the Internet and social media now. So if someone asks you, "what's the tea?" they're probably not referring to your favorite brew from the camellia sinensis plant!  Live, learn and don't respond Earl Grey or Darjeeling!  ;-)

On another subject... a while back my daughter told me she and her husband were enjoying the PBS Masterpiece series All Creatures Great and Small, and she thought I'd enjoy it too. Have you seen it?

The series, filmed in England's countryside, came out in 2021 in the US.  A new season is scheduled for January 7th, 2024.  I'm in season three now and really enjoying it.  The timeline is 1937 and it's about a young veterinarian, James Herriot, who is hired by an eccentric veterinarian [Siegfried Farnon] to help in his practice.  They live at Skeldale House along with Siegfried's younger brother, Tristan, and Mrs. Hall, their housekeeper.  There's a lot of tea scenes in each episode, along with drama and romance.  

A sweet lady at my church enjoys the program too, and last Sunday she gifted me with the book the series was based on.  James Herriot was a real life English veterinarian until his death in 1995.  He practiced for over half a century.   I'm looking forward to reading the book with a cup of tea at my side.