Teetotalism

Some common reasons for choosing teetotalism are religious, health, family, philosophical, fear of gastric/epi-gastric and/or social reasons, and, sometimes, as simply a matter of taste or preference. When at drinking establishments, teetotallers either abstain from drinking or consume non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, coffee, water, juice, soft drinks and mocktails.

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

Etymology

An alternative explanation is that teetotal is simply a reduplication 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. 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, predominantly in the southern United States.

Synonyms

Numerous idioms and slang terms imply abstinence from alcohol. A common American term is "on the (water) wagon", which frequently means those who have had a problem with alcohol, as well as the terms "dry" and "sober". "Straight edge" is a newer idiom for abstaining from alcohol and other intoxicants. "Temperance" was a more popular term in the 19th century and early 20th century when temperance unions throughout the US battled consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Notable teetotalers

Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler was a teetotaler in addition to being a non-smoker. His claimed vegetarianism, as part of an ascetic image, is disputed - see Adolf Hitler's vegetarianism.

KISS bassist, Gene Simmons.

AC/DC guitarist, Angus Young.

Batman's secret identity, Bruce Wayne.

H.P. Lovecraft, the famous writer. He wrote a biding story about liquor entitled "Old Bugs"

Joe Biden, the 47th Vice President of the United States, abstains from alcohol, citing his own family's history of alcoholism. Joe Biden was noted to have had a non-alcoholic Buckler during the "Beer summit" following the Henry L. Gates arrest incident.

American actor Dan Castellaneta, best known for voicing Homer Simpson along with many other characters in the long-running and highly popular cartoon The Simpsons, Comedians Frankie Boyle and Peter Kay, English guitarist Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse, The Cribs) are also teetotalers.

Shaun Pollock the former South African Cricket team captain, is also a teetotaler, as is Christine Lagarde, current French Minister of Economic Affairs, Industry and Employment.

20th century Dutch Prime Minister and social reformer, Willem Drees, also named 3rd greatest Dutch ever was also teetotal.

See also

References

Category:Temperance movement Category:Asceticism