Dame

Good day all,

During my journey to sobriety and wellness I have encountered no end of Medical People who, when I say "I was a strict Teatotaler for25 years," they say "Huh? What's THAT?"

OK, this is America. I'm an American (heavily influenced by British culture for a long time). Is this a term from the UK, or just a common term that young'uns (most drs now) and people who have grown up glued to their TVs (where drinking is JUST FINE) never heard of?

Or is there another term I haven't heard? "I was a non-drinker" or "I was abstinent" just smacks of "I'm lying but trying to convince you" in my ears. "Teatotaler" has such positive conotations. It's kind of a happy word, and - darn it - I was a happy Teatotaler :/

Thanks for listening

Lightning Bug

The term teetotaler originated in England, which, based on your knowledge of the area, you would have been exposed to it. My father was British so I am familiar with it. Kids should have heard of it in HS history, but courses today seem to concentrate on America's history and not as much English.

Dame

Thanks much earthsteps

Well then, I will stubbornly keep using it with the hopes that I can educate people. When they say "huh?" I will say "Huh, it must be a British term. I thought everyone knew it. Well, now YOU know it too. Isn't it a good word?!" I will be positive and grin because drs. don't seem to like it when you know something that they don't.

Thanks again. There aren't any folks from the UK here in "my parts" to help with the explaining......darn it!

Lightning Bug

Here is a quick tidbit you might find amusing. I don't recall the exact details, but the term came as a result of someone's speech impediment. He stammered and the term was coined!

Darwinia

Weird. English is not my first language and I do not live in the UK but I know the word. Perhaps it is an age thing. I will check on the younger generation.

Soberwolf

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teetotalism

FarToGo

Might be a generational thing, I'm a Brit and know the phrase well, but I'm of a certain age. Not sure my daughter would know it or if she does, she's only heard it from me or my generation and older. Interestingly, she doesn't drink much tea and nor do her friends.............. maybe tea is going out of fashion? Perish the thought!
xx

try2again

yeah, maybe it is an age thing. I know the word & I saw earlier you are 55 - i'm 52. I was a happy teetotaler too, until maybe the past 10 years, what happened...

Lightning Bug

I definitely might be generational. I am 42.

try2again

re: your age - I may be thinking about another post by someone else, sorry if I am

hpdw

Teetotaler , huh ! I wish I had always been . I'm 59 and heard it used often in Scotland .

Gretel123

I know the word and I'm a 30 year old American :P

Lightning Bug

Ok G quit your bragging about being 30. Totally jealous.

Dame

Soberwoolf. Thanks for the link.
And for the Wilfred Owen. Virginia Woolf modeled one of her characters, Septimus Smith, after soldiers like Owen (if not Owen himself). Good reminder.

Dame

No problem, try2again. Nothing wrong with being 55!

fripfrop

I always thought it was a standard term for non drinker, but then I am in the uk