Clock That Tea! What the Drag Slang Means & Where It Comes From

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Explore “clock that tea” and more popular drag queen lingo
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“Clock that tea” is a playful drag and LGBTQ+ phrase that means to call out something about a person that they might not want you to see (“Did you see her wig sliding back on stage? Clock that tea!”). In this article, we’ll dive into exactly what it means and when it’s right to say it, plus explore the phrase’s roots in ballroom culture. Read on to learn more!

“Clock That Tea” Meaning

“Clock that tea” essentially means “Hey! Pay attention to this!” It’s a way to call out something that has gone unnoticed or been hidden. It’s a lighthearted slang term with roots in the drag, trans, and Black communities. “Clock” means to recognize or expose and “tea” means “truth” (as in personal info or fun gossip).

Section 1 of 4:

What does "clock that tea" mean?

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  1. It's used to call attention to something that's gone unnoticed or that someone might be trying to hide. “Clock” means “recognize” and “tea” means “truth” or “gossip,” so “clock that tea” is like saying “Hey! Pay attention to this information!” The expression lightheartedly calls out or exposes someone for something they’re trying to hide, or to emphasize and agree with what someone has just said.
    • Person A: “I don’t think Jordan is that smart, they cheat on every test!”
      Person B: “Clock that tea! Why is no one talking about this?”
    • “Did you see how dark her roots were? She’s not a real blonde, clock that tea!”
  2. It sounds confusing, but here’s an example: Say a glamorous drag queen has a really visible wigline, putting a dent in the “illusion” she’s creating. You could say you “clocked her wig” or “clocked that hairline” because you saw something she didn’t want you to notice. [1] “Clocking” looks is common in drag, but you can clock just about anything:
    • “Did you clock Brad and Jenny last night? They’re trying to act like they’re not together but it’s so obvious!”
    • “Clock that cop lurking over there like no one can see him.”
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  3. “Tea” (sometimes “T”) is a common drag term that’s used in a variety of contexts. It can refer to living as your true self and celebrating your uniqueness (“I’m trans and that’s my tea”), or to gossip about others (“Have I got some tea for you!”). [2]
    • “She’s living her true tea and I’m proud of her!”
    • “Gather around, the tea is hot and I’ve got to share it now!”
    • “Tea” pops up in a lot of common drag phrases, like:
      • “ Spill the tea ” (“Share the gossip” or “tell me what’s going on”)
      • “What’s the tea?” (“What happened?” or “What’s the gossip?”)
      • “No tea, no shade” (“Don’t take this as an insult or gossip”)
      • “Tea!” (“Yes” or “I agree”)
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Section 2 of 4:

When & How to Use “Clock That Tea”

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  1. Is there some crucial (or just plain juicy) bit of information or gossip that others aren’t catching on to? Say “clock that tea” to point it out. It’s like saying, “ This is what you need to be paying attention to.”
    • Person A: “Why is he so mad about the game? He’s being a sore loser.”
      Person B: “Clock that tea. He’s been like this all season.”
  2. If you and your friends like some shady banter, use “clock that tea” to playfully call them out on anything they’re trying to conceal or ignore to make themselves look cooler or unbothered.
    • Person A: “You like my new sweater? I got it in Europe.”
      Person B: “By Europe do you mean Target? I see that tag sticking out, clock that tea!”
  3. Sometimes, “clock that tea” is a way to wholeheartedly agree with someone (like yelling “Yes!” or “Preach!” when you hear something that aligns with your beliefs). So, when someone makes a point you fully support, toss out a “clock that tea” to emphasize your agreement.
    • Person A: “They painted over that gorgeous exposed brick and it looks bad.”
      Person B: “Clock that tea! I hate when people ruin it like that.”
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Section 3 of 4:

Where did “Clock that tea” come from?

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  1. It’s not totally clear exactly when “clock that tea” emerged, but it’s likely that it came from NYC’s ballroom culture in the 80s and 90s. Balls were underground queer dance parties where people who were shunned for their sexuality or gender expression—especially African-American and Latinx folks—could dance and present how they wanted to. [3] The ballroom scene is responsible for a lot of the Back, queer, drag slang terms we know and love today!
    • “Clock” has a specific (and sometimes problematic) meaning in the trans community. Historically, getting “clocked” meant being recognized or outed as transgender, or not “passing” as your preferred gender. [4]
    • Later, “clocking” expanded to include more than just gender presentation (but drag queens still love to use it to jokingly make fun of each others’ looks).
    • Similarly, “tea” originated with Black drag queens, many of whom were trans. Originally spelled “T,” it referred to your genuine, inner truth about who you are (things like being gay or trans or your core beliefs). [5]
  2. Unlike in the past, when hip-hop music was the main gateway into Black culture and slang, many Gen Zers and Millennials have picked up on drag and ballroom slang from viral TikTok videos and online influencers. Not all of these influencers identify as Black or LGBTQ+ themselves, raising questions about cultural appropriation (what used to be considered “informal” or “wrong” language when spoken by African-Americans or queer people is now “trendy” when said by white creators online). [6]
    • Mega-hit queer TV shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race have also launched ballroom lingo into the public vocabulary. For example, trans Drag Race contestant Monica Beverly Hillz performed an original song called “ Not a Soul Can Clock ” on All Stars 8 celebrating her passing feminine looks.
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Section 4 of 4:

More Popular Drag Slang

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  1. If you’re curious to learn more about drag slang (or just want to understand the next episode of Drag Race better), check out these popular words and expressions:
    • “Slay” : “You killed it!” or to do something flawlessly.
    • “Slay the house down boots” : A congratulatory phrase that means someone “brought the house down” with the flawlessness of their performance or looks.
    • “Serving face”: Modeling your face because of your excellent makeup or confidence.
    • “Feeling the fantasy”: Really feeling like you’re embodying a new persona or character (like a drag queen).
    • “Ate and left no crumbs” : Someone did something so amazingly (they “ate”) that there’s nothing to improve on (they “left no crumbs”).
    • “Snatched” : Perfect, flawless, or impeccably put together.
    • “Yasss” : An exaggerated, enthusiastic variation of “Yes!”

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/0WKyuVMDT5U?t=40
      2. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/tea-slang-meaning-origin
      3. ↑ https://www.columbiaspectator.com/arts-and-culture/2022/09/29/new-uses-old-words-how-black-lgbtq-culture-influences-modern-internet-slang/
      4. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/clock-new-senses-verb-usage
      5. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/tea-slang-meaning-origin
      6. ↑ https://www.columbiaspectator.com/arts-and-culture/2022/09/29/new-uses-old-words-how-black-lgbtq-culture-influences-modern-internet-slang/

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