Read the tea leaves

Meaning

Predict the future from available signs.

Usage

Figuratively applied to trend spotting.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Tea leaf fortune telling in parlors.

19th century British fortune tellers popularized the image.