teetotalism

American  

[tee-toht-l-iz-uhm, tee-toht-] / tiˈtoʊt lˌɪz əm, ˈtiˌtoʊt- /

noun

1. the principle or practice of total abstinence from intoxicating drink.

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Etymology

Origin of teetotalism

First recorded in 1825–35; teetotal + -ism

Explanation

Teetotalism is a noun, meaning staying away from alcohol. If you see someone drinking a soda at a bar, he might practice teetotalism or he might just be planning to drive himself home. Since drinking alcohol is generally an accepted practice now, the word teetotalism has fallen out of common use. You might think the groups promoting teetotalism in the United States in the 1920s succeeded when laws were passed prohibiting alcohol (effective from 1920 to 1933). However, you would be wrong, because with the Prohibition era came underground bars and homemade moonshine.

Example Sentences

But teetotalism made him a “weird kid” in the small Bavarian town where he grew up.

From Scientific American • Jul. 9, 2019

Washingtonians welcomed the participation of women and children, as they cast alcohol as the destroyer of families, and those who joined the group took a public pledge of teetotalism.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

Temperance societies developed a religious zeal for teetotalism.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2014

It was benign, healthful and quite compatible with teetotalism.

From The Guardian • Jun. 29, 2012

But Jerez is like a white banner floating under the cloudless sky, the pure white banner of Bacchus raised defiantly against the gaudy dyes of teetotalism and its shrieking trumpets.

From The Land of The Blessed Virgin; Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)