Pronunciation: [tˈiː θˈɪŋz] (IPA) 
The phrase "tea things" consists of two words that are fairly straightforward to spell. The first word, "tea," is spelled phonetically as /tiː/ (tee). The second word, "things," is spelled phonetically as /θɪŋz/ (th-ih-ngz), with the "th" sound at the beginning and the "ng" sound at the end. "Tea things" refers to any equipment or utensils used in the preparation or serving of tea, such as cups, saucers, teapots, and spoons.
Tea things refers to a collection of items or objects associated with the preparation, serving, and consumption of tea. This term typically encompasses a wide range of accouterments, utensils, and equipment used in traditional tea ceremonies or everyday tea rituals.
Tea things commonly include teapots, cups, saucers, and various types of tea sets. These vessels are often made of porcelain, ceramic, or china materials, which are favored for their aesthetic appeal and ability to retain heat. Additionally, tea things may also encompass tea strainers, tea filters, and tea infusers, which aid in the steeping and straining process.
Furthermore, this term can encompass a variety of tools used during tea preparation. These can include tea kettles or water boilers to heat the water, tea timers to monitor steeping time, and tea scales to measure the appropriate amount of loose tea leaves. Other tea things may comprise of tea trays, featuring compartments for holding teapots and cups, and tea caddies used for storing and preserving tea leaves or tea bags.
In addition to the physical objects, tea things can also encompass certain practices or etiquette associated with tea rituals. This can involve the proper way to pour and serve tea, the order in which guests receive their tea, and the use of specific gestures or rituals during the tea ceremony.
Overall, tea things encompass a broad range of items and practices that contribute to the enjoyment and experience of tea culture.
The term "tea things" is derived from the Middle English word "tē", which comes from the Old English word "tēa". This Old English word, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "taihwō" and the Proto-Indo-European root word "déh₃i̯om".
The word "tēa" in Old English referred to a beverage brewed from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, which is the source of tea. Over time, the term "tea" began to encompass the whole tea-drinking experience, including not only the beverage but also the items and utensils used during tea preparation and consumption. This led to the emergence of the term "tea things", which refers to the various objects associated with tea, such as teapots, tea cups, saucers, tea strainers, and other related items.
