Teetotalism

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(Redirected from Teetotaler)

1 Origin of the word
2 Other uses
3 Synonyms
4 Famous teetotalers
5 See also
6 External links

Teetotalism is the practice and promotion of complete (or T-total) abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is a called a teetotaler or teetotaller (plural teetotalers or teetotallers.)

People generally choose teetotalism for religious, health or societal reasons, or a combination of these reasons. This does not necessarily mean that they cannot participate in social drinking; for instance, for the typical teetotaller, soft drinks are an easily obtainable substitute at most drinking establishments.

Contemporary and colloquial usage has somewhat expanded teetotalism to include strict abstinence from most recreational intoxicants (legal and illegal, see controlled substances). Most teetotaller organizations also demand from their members that they do not promote or produce intoxicants.

[edit] Origin of the word

One anecdote attributes the origin of the word to a meeting of the Preston Temperance Society in May 1832. This society was founded by Joseph Livesey, who was to become a leader of the Temperance movement and the author of The Pledge: "We agree to abstain from all liquors of an intoxicating quality whether ale, porter, wine or ardent spirits, except as medicine." The story attributes the word to Dickie Turner, a member of the society, who had a stammer, and in a speech said that nothing would do but "tee-tee-total abstinence".

A more likely explanation is that teetotal is simply a repetition of the 'T' in total. In England in the 1830s, when the word first appeared, it was also used in other contexts as an emphasised form of total. The word could also be confused as a fusion of the words tea, a common non-alcoholic beverage, and total, albeit with the spelling changed slightly — but this is widely considered to be incorrect.

Another definition of a teetotaler is one who abstains from alcohol and drugs of any form, to include narcotics and other stimulants.

[edit] Other uses

In Nova Scotia and Ireland, as well as among those who are from those places, it is commonly spelled "tea-totaller" and is a reference to a love for tea over coffee, alcohol, or other strong beverages and bears no social stigma.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Synonyms

Nephalism, temperance, abstinence and restraint are acceptable synonyms for teetotalism. Abstinence and restraint have other, sometimes sexual meanings. Their use must be clarified either explicitly or clearly in context.

Numerous idioms and slang terms imply abstinence from alcohol. Common American usage includes on the wagon, which is frequently associated with those who have had a problem with alcohol in the past, as well as the terms dry and sober.