Teetotalism 153799 224816822 2008-07-10T15:27:53Z 212.39.161.10 /* Other uses */ {{Unreferenced|date=December 2007}} {{seealso|Prohibition|Temperance movement}} '''Teetotalism''' (or T-total) is the practice and promotion of complete [[abstinence]] from [[alcoholic beverage]]s. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is called a '''teetotaler''' or '''teetotaller''' (plural '''teetotalers''' or '''teetotallers'''). Such people are said to be '''on the wagon''' unless they've never consumed alcoholic beverages (someone who is 'on the wagon' has usually needed to stop drinking, hence 'falling off the wagon'). People generally choose teetotalism for [[religion|religious]], [[health]], [[family]], [[philosophical]] and/or [[society|social]] reasons, and, sometimes, as simply a matter of taste preference. When at [[bar (establishment)|drinking establishments]], they either abstain from drinking or consume non-alcoholic beverages such as water, juice, and [[soft drink]]s. 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 non-alcoholic intoxicants. ==Etymology== One anecdote attributes the origin of the word to a meeting of the [[Preston Temperance Society]] in 1832 or 1833. 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 (beer)|porter]], [[wine]] or ardent spirits, except as [[medicine]]." The story attributes the word to Dicky 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'' (T-total). It is said that as early as 1827 in some Temperance Societies signing a 'T' after one's name signified one's pledge for total abstinence.<ref name="Online Etymology Dictionary">{{Cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=t&p=5|title=Online Etymology Dictionary - T, page 5|accessdate=2007-04-30}}</ref> In [[England]] in the 1830s, when the word first entered the lexicon, it was also used in other contexts as an emphasized form of ''total''; in this context, the word is still used, but predominantly in the southern United States. 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 (Tea-total) &mdash; but this is not widely believed. U.S. President [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] was a famous tee-totaler. His wife acquired the nickname Lemonade Lucy because of her practice of serving guests non-alcoholic beverages while entertaining in the White House. ==Other uses== * In [[Nova Scotia]] it is commonly spelled "tea-totaller" and refers to a love for tea over coffee, alcohol, or other strong beverages and bears no stigma among drinkers. {{Fact|date=February 2008}} * In [[India]], teetotalism was often the expected norm for women of all strata. * Another definition of a teetotaler is one who abstains from alcohol and intoxicating drugs of any kind, including narcotics. ==Synonyms== ''Nephalism'', ''temperance'', ''abstinence'' and ''[[restraint]]'' are synonyms for teetotalism. ''Abstinence'' and ''restraint'' have other, sometimes sexual connotations. Numerous idioms and slang terms imply abstinence from alcohol. Common American terms includes "on the wagon," which frequently means those who have had a problem with alcohol, as well as the terms "dry" and "sober." "[[Straight-edge]]" is one of the newer idioms for abstaining from alcohol and other intoxicants. Temperance was more popular of a term in the 1800s and early 1900s when temperance unions throughout the US battled "demon rum," "mountain dew," and "corn liquor." ==See also== * [[List of teetotalers]] * [[Christianity and alcohol]] * [[International Organisation of Good Templars]] * [[Islam and alcohol]] * [[Bahá'í Faith]] (A religious faith prohibiting the recreational use of alcohol, it is allowed for medical purposes directed by a licensed physician) * [[Prohibition]] * [[Straight edge]] * [[Temperance organizations]] * [[WCTU]] * [[Wedding of the Weddings]] * [[Word of Wisdom]] * [[Wowser]] - slang expression ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== ===General=== *[http://news.ufl.edu/2006/07/24/alcohol/ Health benefits of moderate drinking extend to elderly] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/377381.stm BBC Health: Alcohol Benefits Debunked] * [http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/fishman/2006/moderate_drinking.html Moderate Drinking May Be Unhealthy After All] * [http://alcoholism.about.com/od/nutrition/a/blniaaa060217.htm Unhealthy Drinking, Eating Habits Linked] * [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-1076835,00.html Three drinks a day can cause brain damage] * [http://www.ucsf.edu/daybreak/1998/02/202_tee.htm Study Disputes Reports That Teetotalers Are at Greater Risk Than Light Drinkers] * [http://www.teetotaled.com/ Teetotaled.com - A webzine on teetotalism and healthy living] ===Religious=== * [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14482a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Temperance Movements] * [http://www.babylonfalls.org/forchristians/christandalcohol2sep06.html Christians and Alcohol] ===Secular=== * [[Mothers Against Drunk Driving]] * [[Marin Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems]] [[Category:Temperance movement]] [[Category:Asceticism]] [[de:Alkoholgegner]] [[fi:Absolutismi (alkoholi)]] [[fr:Abstème]] [[nl:Geheelonthouder]] [[sv:Absolutism (alkohol)]]