Strong, inexpensive tea taken by people in the building trade, usually in a mug.
Builder’s tea
Example Sentences
"I'll have a builder's tea, nice and strong."
"Builder's tea with two sugars."
Etymology & History
British term for strong tea with milk and sugar, stereotypically drunk by construction workers. Emerged in late 20th century. The strength and sweetness supposedly provide energy for manual labor. Cultural stereotype about British working-class tea preferences.
Word Details
📍
Region
General British
📅
Era
Modern
✓
Language
Mild
💬
Formality
Slang
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
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