T-total

[milly143]

Why is it called T-total? What does the T stand for?

[Aschenbach]

Some past answers here on 'teetotal'

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question29201.html

[commoner]

    Maybe it stands for temperance...and if total then no alcoholic drink at all is taken

[Kay]

I thought it stood for Temperance. Here in Cardiff there used to be a place called "Temperance Town".Everyone who lived there were strictly "T Total". Cardiff General Station stands where the town once was.

[FranklynCents]

It comes from the old British colonial tea tasters of yesteryear. They were quality controllers and to keep a clean pallet were required to drink no alcohol. It has now become, incorrectly, t-total, much like some people write, "okay" when it is always, "O.K." :)