Teetotalism refers to the commitment or advocacy for complete personal avoidance of alcohol consumption, particularly in the form of alcoholic beverages. Individuals who adhere to teetotalism are known as teetotalers or are described as being teetotal. Worldwide, nearly 50% of adults abstain from drinking alcohol, not including those who have previously drunk but have since ceased. Various temperance groups have been established with the goal of encouraging teetotalism and creating social environments for those who choose not to consume alcohol.
Despite common misconceptions that the origins of “teetotal” are linked to Prohibition in America, the term actually has roots in the 19th-century Temperance Movement in England.
The term “teetotal” originated from the Temperance Movement in the 1800s, where individuals committed to abstaining from all intoxicating beverages, not just “ardent spirits” or hard liquor.
The most notable story behind the term involves Richard “Dicky” Turner, a temperance advocate from Preston, Lancashire, who, due to a speech impediment or possibly for emphasis, reiterated the “t” sound in a speech, leading to the phrase “tee-tee-tee total abstinence.”
His gravestone even acknowledges him as the author of “teetotal” in the context of complete abstinence from intoxicating liquors. Other theories exist, such as the term arising from the practice of signing a capital “T” after one’s name in early Temperance Societies to indicate an oath of temperance.
The origins of teetotalism gravitated toward mainstream acceptance around 1820s and 1830s, a period when alcohol consumption saw a significant rise in the United States.
According to Jon Grinspan, a curator of political history at the National Museum of American History, drinking habits were binary with individuals either fully indulging or completely abstaining.
The term “teetotaler” possibly derives from temperance advocates who were vehemently against alcohol, emphasising their stance with “a capital T.”
This identifier was used in a similar manner to how individuals might refer to themselves as capital-R Republicans or W-Whigs, marking a clear and distinct identity. The preference for moderate drinking gained traction only after the end of Prohibition, leading to the gradual decline in the usage of the term.
Teetotalling Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z
A notable trend toward decreased alcohol consumption is emerging across younger generations, from Generation X through to Millennials and Gen Z, reminiscent of the decline in smoking’s allure. Investigations by news journalists have uncovered that this shift is largely attributed to a heightened recognition of the long-term health risks associated with drinking, making regular consumption harder to rationalise.
The growing inclination towards sobriety, or exploring a “sober curious” lifestyle, stems from a collective reevaluation of the role alcohol plays in personal health and wellness. This movement gains further credibility from extensive research, such as findings from The Lancet, indicating that abstaining from alcohol entirely is the healthiest choice, highlighting its role as a primary risk factor for mortality and disability among individuals aged 15-49.
Stories of personal sobriety, shared by various public figures, add momentum to this cultural shift largely through very public social media platforms. However, despite these evolving attitudes, projections suggest that global alcohol consumption may continue to rise, presenting a significant challenge to these changing perceptions and habits.
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