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.