(Also with capital initials) the beliefs and practices of those temperance movements whose members wear the blue ribbon; (more generally) temperance, teetotalism.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Wrexham (Wales) Advertiser.
Definition of blue-ribbonism in US English:
blue-ribbonism
noun
historical
(Also with capital initials) the beliefs and practices of those temperance movements whose members wear the blue ribbon; (more generally) temperance, teetotalism.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Wrexham (Wales) Advertiser.