Definition: The term 'Mr. Tea' comes from the British tea company, Tesco, and its distinctive branding strategy. It refers to the brand's advertising slogan: "Tea for a Great Reason". This phrase was first used on television in the 1970s as part of a commercial ad campaign. The term "tear gas" has been associated with a type of tea sold by Tesco, but this is an inaccurate interpretation. The 't' refers to tear gas, not tealeaves. In fact, the word 'tea' comes from the Latin words 'Tetramorium' (meaning "water") and 'Tea', which has been derived from the Old French term 'teinture', or 'collet'. It's important to remember that Teesside is a town in north-east England, not a brand. In this context, "Mr. Tea" does not mean a tea company, but rather a kind of tea that is made by Tesco and sold under the brand name. For more information about the term 'tear gas', see: http://www.teasense.com/tears.html