chaptzem

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Yiddish כאַפּטסעם (khaptsem), from כאַפּן (khapn, to catch, get) and אים (im, him).

Interjection[edit]

chaptzem

  1. Help! Catch him/her/them!

Usage notes[edit]

In Jewish neighborhoods when crime was rampant, a Jew who was being accosted by someone would yell "chaptzem" to summon help.