Catchee

Origin

See catch.

Verb

verb

1. (nonstandard) Eye dialect of catch, representing Chinese, African, or similarly marked pronunciation.
• 1845, Will Watch, the Bold Smuggler: A Tale of the Coast: The Narrative Founded on Fact, and Characters Drawn from Life, "Jis for nothin', as the sayin' is," said the black, grinning in Trunnion's face. "No, no, massa; no catchee de negro, no ha de slabe."
• 1886, Bret Harte, The Complete Poetical Works of Bret Harte Chapter The Latest Chinese Outrage, You owe flowty dollee—me washee you camp, You catchee my washee—me catchee no stamp

Derived terms

• softly, softly, catchee monkey