teetotal etymology

Etymology:

The word "teetotal" is a compound of two words:

  • Tea: From the Chinese word "cha" (pronounced tcha), referring to the beverage.
  • Total: From the Latin word "totus," meaning "whole" or "complete."

Meaning:

Teetotal refers to a person who completely abstains from consuming alcoholic beverages.

Origin:

The term "teetotal" originated in the 19th century as part of the temperance movement, which advocated for the complete prohibition of alcohol. The movement's supporters used the term as a pledge to abstain from alcohol altogether.

The legend behind the term's creation is as follows:

  • In 1833, a group of temperance supporters gathered in Preston, England.
  • They wanted to pledge their commitment to total abstinence but struggled to find a suitable word.
  • One of the attendees, Richard Turner, suggested the term "teetotal," derived from the phrase "tee totally tee," which had been used in a local temperance song.
  • The term was adopted by the group and quickly spread throughout the temperance movement.

Over time, "teetotal" became synonymous with complete abstinence from alcohol and is now used to describe individuals who choose to live an alcohol-free lifestyle.

teetotal relate terms

  • teetotum

    Etymology Derived from the Latin phrase totum te meaning the whole you Meaning

  • total

    Etymology The word total derives from the Latin word totus meaning whole or comp

  • take

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It seeks to trace t

  • total

    Etymology The word total derives from the Latin word totus meaning whole or comp

  • refrain

    Etymology Old French refraindre Medieval Latin refrangere Latin re back frang

  • abstain

    Etymology Middle English abstynen Old French and Anglo Norman abstinence Latin absti

  • arcane

    Etymology Latin arcanus hidden secret mysterious Late Latin arcanum mystery

  • condescend

    Etymology The word condescend comes from the Latin word condescendere which means t

  • salad

    Etymology The word salad originates from the Old French word salade which in turn co

  • jubilee

    Etymology The word jubilee originates from the Hebrew word yowbel which means ram

  • haywire

    Etymology The word haywire is a combination of two words Hay Short for haystack