''Meister'' means 'master' in
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
(as in
master craftsman
Historically, a master craftsman or master tradesman (sometimes called only master or grandmaster) was a member of a guild. The title survives as the highest professional qualification in craft industries.
In the European guild system, only mas ...
, or as an honorific title such as
Meister Eckhart). The word is akin to
master and
maestro. In sports, ''Meister'' is used for the current national, European or world champion (e.g. ''Deutscher Meister'', ''Europameister'', ''Weltmeister'').
During the
Second World War, ''Meister'' was the highest enlisted rank of the German ''
Ordnungspolizei''. Many modern-day German police forces also use the title of ''Meister''.
''Meister'' has been borrowed into
English slang, where it is used in
compound nouns
In linguistics, a compound is a lexeme (less precisely, a word or sign) that consists of more than one stem. Compounding, composition or nominal composition is the process of word formation that creates compound lexemes. Compounding occurs when t ...
. A person referred to as “Meister” is one who has extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills in his profession, business, or some other kind of work or activity. For example, a “puzzle-meister” would be someone highly skilled at solving puzzles. These
neologisms sometimes have a
sarcastic
Sarcasm is the caustic use of words, often in a humorous way, to mock someone or something. Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although it is not necessarily ironic. Most noticeable in spoken word, sarcasm is mainly distinguished by the inflection ...
intent (for example, “stubble-meister” for someone with a short, neat beard, or “crier-meister” for someone who often cries).
Professional degree
In
Germany and
Austria, the word ''Meister'' also assigns a title and public degree in the field of
vocational education. The German ''Meister'' title qualifies the holder to study at a University or ''Fachhochschule'', whether the ''Meister'' holds the regular entry qualification (''
Abitur
''Abitur'' (), often shortened colloquially to ''Abi'', is a qualification granted at the end of secondary education in Germany. It is conferred on students who pass their final exams at the end of ISCED 3, usually after twelve or thirteen year ...
'' or ''Fachhochschulreife'') or not.
In 2012, the commissions of the states and the federal government, as well as the associated partners, concluded that the ''Meisterbrief'' is equivalent to a bachelor's degree (''Deutscher Qualifikationsrahmen für lebenslanges Lernen'' and ''European qualification framework EQF, Level 6, Niveau 6). In the year 2020 plans were finalised to rename the meister title to "professional bachelor"
The Master craftsman is the highest professional qualification in crafts and is a state-approved grade. The education includes theoretical and practical training in the craft and also business and legal training, and includes the qualification to be allowed to train apprentices as well. The status of Master craftsman is regulated in the German ''Gesetz zur Ordnung des Handwerks, HwO'' (Crafts and Trades Regulation Code).
To become a master craftsman usually requires vocational training in the specific crafts in which the examination should be taken (a successfully completed apprenticeship and examination, called ''Gesellenprüfung''). In addition to attaining the journeyman (''Geselle'') degree, until 2004 the Crafts and Trades Regulation Code did furthermore require practical experience of 3 years as a journeyman. In the German field of ''Meister'' education, specialised training courses for the ''Meisterprüfung'' ("Meister examination") can be followed. The duration of the courses can take 1 to 2 years. The examination includes theoretical, practical and oral parts and takes 5 to 7 days (depending on the craft). In some crafts, the creation of a masterpiece is also part of the examination.
Etymology
''Meister'' is derived from the
Greek word "μήστωρ" (adviser, counselor, adept, scientist),
[Liddell & Scott, ''Handwörterbuch der griechischen Sprache: L - Ō'', Volume 2.] the
Latin word "magister" (teacher), the German "meister" from Old High German "meistar".
See also
*
Burgomaster
*
Wachtmeister
(Wm; German for 'master-sentinel' or 'watch-master') is a military rank of non-commissioned officers (NCO) in Austria and Switzerland. The was initially responsible for the guard duty of the army. Later, it became the equivalent NCO-grade of ...
References
{{Authority control
Titles
German words and phrases
