also teetotaller, "one who formally pledges to entire abstinence from intoxicating drink," 1834, agent noun from teetotal (q.v.). Related: Teetotaleress (1834); teetotalist (1840).
Invented by the "health conscious" and used as a term of self-identification. As far as I know, nobody thinks of it as anything other than a convenient synonym for "doesn't want to drink alcohol, at all".
It conveniently avoids motivation, too. Several religions forbid alcohol, it's not a good idea for alcoholics, and of course there are people who just think it's a bad idea for any other reason. "I'm a teetotaller" avoids getting into personal details.
Comments
ah the alcoholics lingo. The word you are looking for is "health conscious".
teetotaler(n.)
also teetotaller, "one who formally pledges to entire abstinence from intoxicating drink," 1834, agent noun from teetotal (q.v.). Related: Teetotaleress (1834); teetotalist (1840).
Invented by the "health conscious" and used as a term of self-identification. As far as I know, nobody thinks of it as anything other than a convenient synonym for "doesn't want to drink alcohol, at all".
It conveniently avoids motivation, too. Several religions forbid alcohol, it's not a good idea for alcoholics, and of course there are people who just think it's a bad idea for any other reason. "I'm a teetotaller" avoids getting into personal details.