- The beverage bubble tea originated cities in Asia such as Taipei and Hong Kong. It was brought to the United States by immigrants from Asia in the 1990s, who began to sell it to other Asian immigrants. Then it spread to the wider culture in the U.S. It was first called bubble tea by Americans, but later the term boba used in Asia was adopted as well.
boba
noun Loanword from English "bubble" to Taiwanese, and re-borrowing back from Taiwanese into English.; other word formation type Loanword from English "bubble" to Taiwanese, and re-borrowing back from Taiwanese into English.
Tapioca balls found at the bottom of bubble tea (also called boba milk tea or boba tea). Can also refer to the bubble tea beverage itself, not just the tapioca. Bubble tea or boba is made from tea and milk or soymilk, with tapioca pearls added. Sometimes boba is made with fruit juices.
Etymology : Borrowed from boba, Taiwanese or Chinese word for bubble tea. Boba itself was apparently borrowed into Chinese from the English word bubble.
Source : "Stop by the RMC sometime this week to buy boba to help our cause! See you at the night market! " — Facebook entry for Rice Night Market, November 2008.
Last modified: 24 November 2008