aquabib

English

Etymology

Based on Latin aqua (“water”) + bibere, infinitive of bibō (“to drink”)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /æk.wə.bɪb/

Noun

aquabib (plural aquabibs)

1. (very rare, obsolete, derogatory) A teetotaler; one who does not consume alcohol.
   • 1883, The Louisville Medical News: a weekly journal of medicine and surgery: Volumes 15-16:

     and aquabibs are epithets bestowed by the champions of alcohol in London upon the temperance folk.

   • 1949, Julia Cooley Altrocchi, The spectacular San Franciscans:

     Dwight L. Moody and John B. Gough, the great aquabib, had commanded attention […]

   • 1966, Robert Arnold Aubin, Topographical poetry in XVII-century Eng:

     While its more sober counterpart was directed to quite different ends by a pugnacious aquabib, William Henry Draper

Usage notes

• Proposed circa 1883 as a slur for members of the temperance movement, who would not drink alcohol.