tasseography

English

Etymology

A macaronic blend of French tasse (“cup”) and -graphy (“writing”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɒɡɹəfi

Noun

tasseography (uncountable)

1. Divination with tea leaves or coffee grounds.

   Synonyms: tassology, tasseomancy

   • 2008, Colette Baron-Reid, Messages From Spirit: The Extraordinary Power of Oracles, Omens, and Signs‎^[1], page 145:

     Tasseography can be a very accurate means of seeing the patterns and choices playing out in your life.

   • 2008, Sabrina Hill, Joni Russell, The Everything Baby Shower Book: Throw a Memorable Event for Mother-to-Be, page 125:

     Another activity option is tasseography—the art of reading tea leaves.

   • 2011, Maureen Hancock, The Medium Next Door: Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer‎^[2], page 15:

     Although tasseography is commonly associated with Gypsy fortunetellers, the tradition of tea-leaf reading arose independently in Asia, the Middle East, and Ancient Greece. Modern tasseography has also been associated with the Scottish, Irish, and cultures of Eastern Europe.

Related terms

• tasseographer

See also

• cup-tosser

Further reading

• tasseography on Wikipedia.Wikipedia