What is a Teetotaler? Definition and Meaning
A teetotaler is a person who practices complete abstinence from all alcoholic beverages. While historical “temperance” often only banned hard spirits, teetotalers reject all forms of alcohol, including beer, wine, and cider. The term originated in the 1830s to describe those taking a “Total” abstinence pledge.
In a rush? Click to skip straight to our key takeaways for a quick breakdown of the surprising history of the word.
Although “to teetotal” (t total, t-total) simply means “to never drink,” it meant something more specific when it first came to be used. At the beginning of the temperance movement, most temperance societies didn’t see anything wrong with wine, beer, or cider. In fact, they embraced them. It was distilled spirituous liquors that were seen as the real evil (ever wonder why alcohol is called spirits?)
The idea of temperance, then, was to abstain from hard liquors. This was seen as a moderate response to the problems of alcohol. Later, attitudes changed and wine, beer, and cider came to be seen as just as much of a problem as spirits. Therefore the temperance movement began to call for total abstinence from all alcohol-containing beverages. To teetotal was to abstain from both hard liquor and wine, beer, etc. You could still practice moderation, and only cut out spirits, but you were encouraged to be a teetotaler.
So, a teetotaler wasn’t someone who “doesn’t drink” as much as it is someone who “doesn’t drink distilled spirits, or wine, or beer, or anything else.” You could still “practice temperance without being a teetotaler.
The Real Origin of the Word Teetotaler
While there are several legends, the most likely origin of “teetotaler” is that it was a linguistic tool used for emphasis—essentially saying you were “Total with a capital T.” However, two specific stories from the 19th-century temperance movement compete for the title of “true” creator.
The Stuttering Story of Dicky Turner (Preston, England)
The most famous story involves Richard “Dicky” Turner, a reformed drinker in Preston, England. During a meeting in 1833, Turner reportedly declared that “nothing but the t-t-total pledge will do”.
Furthermore, while some believe the “t-t-total” was a stutter, others argue it was a local Lancashire dialect used to add emphasis. Turner’s own tombstone in Preston even credits him as the “author of the word”.
Consequently, many historians believe the term was either a deliberate coinage by Turner or a local Lancashire dialect used for emphasis. The fact that Turner later used the term “teetotal pledge” in his speeches suggests it quickly became an accepted, purposeful identity rather than an accidental slip of the tongue.
The American “T-Total” Connection
While the British story is the most famous, a competing origin exists in the United States. According to records from the Hector Temperance Society in New York, the term may have appeared as early as 1826—seven years before Dicky Turner’s famous speech.
Alternatively, the origin may have been purely administrative. The Hector society offered two distinct options for its members:
- The Old Pledge (O.P.): Abstaining from distilled spirits only—which had long been the focus of the origin of the word alcohol.
- The Total Pledge (T): Complete abstinence from all alcohol.
The society’s secretary, Rev. Joel Jewell, would place a “T” next to the names of those taking the total pledge. Consequently, these members were referred to as “T-Totalers,” providing a logical, non-stutter-based origin for the word.
Does “Teetotaler” Come From Drinking Tea?
It is a common misconception that the word “teetotaler” is derived from drinking tea as a substitute for alcohol. While it’s a logical guess, the “tee” in teetotaler has nothing to do with the beverage.
Instead, the “tee” prefix is a linguistic tool known as a reduplicative, used for emphasis—much like saying something is “tip-top” or “super-duper.” Therefore, spelling it as “tea-totaler” is historically incorrect, even though the error has persisted for nearly two centuries.
Wait, not ready for the “Total Pledge” just yet? > If you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum this morning, you might find the surprising origin of the ‘Hair of the Dog’ hangover cure a bit more useful.
Evidence of Earlier Use: Robert Southey
While the temperance movement popularized the term in the 1830s, the word “teetotal” appears in English literature much earlier. The most notable example is found in a 1812 letter by poet Robert Southey, where he used the word to describe something as “total” or “entire”.
Furthermore, other 1827 publications show the “tee” prefix being used for linguistic emphasis long before the Preston temperance meetings. This confirms that Dicky Turner did not invent the word from scratch; instead, he likely adopted a known slang term and applied it to the abstinence pledge.
Teetotaler Origins: Key Takeaways
- Not About Tea: The “tee” prefix has no connection to tea; it is a linguistic tool used for emphasis (meaning “Total with a capital T”).
- Dicky Turner (1833): The word was popularized by Richard Turner in Preston, England, though he likely used a local dialect rather than coining a new word.
- Earlier Evidence (1812): Poet Robert Southey used the term in writing over 20 years before the temperance movement made it famous.
- The “T” Notation (1826): In the U.S., the Hector Temperance Society used a “T” to signify members who took the “Total” pledge.
