Tells

Tells is the plural of tell, a term used across disciplines to denote signals, signs, or mounds associated with human activity. The word appears in archaeology, psychology and behavioral analysis, gaming and gambling, and literary writing, among other fields. Although related by the idea of conveying information, each sense of tells operates in a distinct context with its own methods of interpretation.

In archaeology, a tell (plural tells) is a mound formed by the accumulation of refuse, building debris, and habitation layers over long periods. Tells are common in parts of the Near East and elsewhere and reveal a sequence of settlement phases through stratigraphy. Excavations at tells can uncover architectural remains, artifacts, and ecofacts that illuminate past lifeways, technologies, and cultural changes.

In gaming and behavioral analysis, a tell refers to a behavior or cue that may reveal information about a player’s hand or intentions. Physical tells include changes in posture, facial expression, breathing, or eye movement, while verbal tells involve speech patterns or phrasing. Not all tells are reliable, and experienced players may attempt to mask or fake tells. Analysts seek patterns across rounds to distinguish genuine signals from random variation or deliberate deception.

In writing and storytelling, a tell can describe information conveyed through narration rather than through shown actions. Writers distinguish between showing and telling, with tells representing expository insight into a character’s thoughts, emotions, or motives. This usage emphasizes how information is delivered to the reader, rather than physical cues or archaeological remains.

See also: tell (disambiguation).