Passing Muster Comes From a Military Inspection
To muster is to assemble. The phrase pass muster comes from a soldier surviving inspection at the assembly.
To muster is to assemble, especially troops. The phrase *pass muster* comes directly from the practice: at a muster, soldiers and their equipment were inspected, and to pass muster was to be found acceptable. The word ultimately comes from Latin *monstrare*, to show — the same root as *demonstrate* and *monster*.
- To assemble. *Muster the troops.*
- To summon up. *Muster the courage.*
- An assembly. *A muster of soldiers.*
- Pass muster — to be acceptable. *It barely passes muster.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | muster | Muster support. |
| Past | mustered | They mustered. |
| Noun | muster | A full muster. |
| Related | demonstrate | Demonstrate the point. |
| Related | monster | A sea monster. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The work barely passes muster.Just acceptable.
- He mustered what dignity he could.Summoned up.
- A muster station is where you assemble.Ship safety.
Words from *monstrare*, to show
- Muster — to show troops for inspection
- Demonstrate — to show fully
- Monster — originally a portent shown as a warning
- Remonstrate — to show a reason against
- Monstrance — the vessel showing the consecrated host
From Old French *mostrer*, from Latin *monstrare*, to show, from *monstrum*, a portent or warning sign.
Where does *pass muster* come from?
From military inspections. A soldier whose person and equipment satisfied the inspecting officer passed muster.
Are monster and demonstrate related?
Yes. A monster was originally a portent shown by the gods as a warning, from the same verb meaning to show.