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From: bobd@zaphod.UUCP (Bob Dalgleish)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: Origin of the term 'teetotaler'
Message-ID: <231@zaphod.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 14:21:26 EST
Article-I.D.: zaphod.231
Posted: Tue Apr 16 14:21:26 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Apr-85 06:24:41 EST
References: <24421@lanl.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: Develcon Electronics, Saskatoon, SK
Lines: 16

> 
>    Has anyone got an idea as to the origin of the term teetotaler?
> Thanks in advance.
> 
>  Scott (the sorcerer's appentice) Chesney    hsc@lanl.ARPA

Yes ... A Methodist abolitionist in the 1800's had some problems with
his speech patterns.  When he tried to pronounce "total abstainer", it
came out "t-t-t-total ab-b-bsta-stainer".  People made fun of his speech
patterns, and started talking about "teetotalers".
-- 
[The opinions expressed here are only loosely based on the facts]

Bob Dalgleish		...!alberta!sask!zaphod!bobd
			      ihnp4!
(My company has disclaimed any knowledge of me and whatever I might say)