Apedia

Abstinence Alcoholic Partly Total Preston Teetotal Tee Tot L Adjective

Front teetotal \tee-TOT-l\
Back adjective
1. Of, relating to, or practicing complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages.
2. Total; absolute.

[Probably partly tee (pronunciation of the first letter in total) + total (abstinence), and partly reduplication of total, coined by R. Turner, of Preston, England, in 1833, in a speech advocating total abstinence from alcoholic drinks]

"His wife's uncle, John Preston, described Dilorenzo to the commission as a virtual teetotal. `He's not a drinker mate,' he said." - Accused policeman alleges death threats at PIC, AAP General News (Australia), 2 Nov 1999.

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