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'teetotaler' - is it religious?

Posted by Bob on November 11, 2000

In Reply to: 'teetotaler' - is it religious? posted by guy (yes, really) on November 10, 2000

: I dont drink alcohol. I am also an atheist.
: I have considered referring to myself as a
: teetotaler, but I am not sure wether or not
: the word implies religiousness. does it?
: what is the origin of the word, in any case?

: thank you very much

No, the word's not religious, but some people seem to be abstainers with religious zeal. The word was coined in 1833, and is a coinage meant to intensify the word "total."

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