the word 'teetotaler' is a fascinating example of emphatic reduplication within the english temperance movement of the 19th century. it originates from the practice of some abstinence advocates who, when signing pledges, would write 'total' with a capital 't' or add an extra 't' (as in 't-total') to signify their commitment to total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, not merely to abstaining from spirits. the initial 'tee' is thus a phonetic reinforcement of the 't' in 'total,' emphasizing completeness. the suffix '-er' was then added to form an agent noun, creating a term for a person who practices this absolute form of abstinence.

Structure: tee + total + er tee: english, a reduplication of the initial letter 't' (from 'total'). total: latin (via french), meaning 'entire' or 'complete'. er: english, an agent noun suffix indicating 'a person who does something'.