Teetotalism

From Free net encyclopedia

Teetotalism is the practice and promotion of complete (or T-total) abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices and 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.

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 don't promote or produce intoxicants.

1 Origin of the word
2 Synonyms
3 See also
4 External link

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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.

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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.

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