Scheissermeister

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This article is about the loanword. For people whose family name is or was Meister, see Meister (surname). For egestion of bodily wastes, see feces and defecation, see Scheissermeister (disambiguation).

Scheissermeister (alternative spelling Scheißermeister; German: "fecal master") slightly vulgar word in Modern German and Modern English denoting a person who is tasked to handle feces. It is originally a native German word, derived from Proto-Germanic *skit- and the German loan word meister. The term is not often used in polite company.

[edit] Etymology

OE. *schīte mæġester

[edit] Pronunciation

(UK) /`sh:é/ss 'r /ˈmɑːstə/
(US) /`sh:é/sęs 'r /ˈmæstɚ/
Audio (US) (help·info)
Rhymes: -ɑːstə(r)

[edit] Definition

The word meister originally means "master" in German (as in master craftsman or as an honorific title such as Meister Eckhart; akin to maestro). It has been borrowed into English slang, where it is used in compound words. These neologisms mostly have a sarcastic intent (for example, "stubblemeister" for someone with a short neat beard; heard on BBC TV; or concertmeister, leader of a symphony).

The prefix Scheisser describes the field of specialty of the master.

[edit] Usage

The compound word Scheissermeister gained popularity at the turn of the 21st Century when it entered the Californian vernacular through a coinage of Arthur Soroken of Cisco Systems. The anecdotal origins of the word are linked to adolescent impressions from Soroken's relatives of German heritage.