Gottem

Gottem is an alternate way of spelling the phrase “Got them” or “Got him”, which is said, when successfully tricking someone else, or following an unexpected roast.

It may be written “got ‘em,” “gotem,” and “gottem” all basically signifying the same meaning.

The expression is closely associated with the “Gottem hand” game, where one forms a circle using their index finger and thumb and tries to trick someone else to look into it.

It is also closely tied with the guy from the “Deez nutz” video.

Got em!

 The expression “got them” probably comes from the medieval era, when it was used to signify the capture of someone or something, possibly in a battle, chase or hunt.

Since then, the meaning had shifted into a more figurative “catching”; the gaining and abuse of someone’s trust.

The term was first defined on Urban Dictionary on June 28th, 2003, with several other entries following in the subsequent years.

“Gottem” was being used online since at least 2004, but it was the “Deez nuts guy”, who made it truly popular, with his flawless dental structure and the excellent prank he pulled off on the phone.

Simultaneously, the “Gottem hand” game was also on the rise in schoolyards all arcoss the globe.

The video featuring the “Deez nutz guy” was first uploaded to Instagram in 2015, and had spread far and wide, resulting in the bigger recognition and utilization of the phrase “gottem”.

Since 2015, gottem had turned into the final word of every prank, though it was broadly contested by the phrase “it’s just a prank, bro”.

Today, “Gottem” is like the term “amen” following a well executed prank, most used in the “Gottem hand” game.

The game itself was also memified during the 2010’s, spawning a plethora of shitposts, containging the OK hand emoji.

“Gottem” may be encountered on image macro memes, GIFs as well as in YouTube prank compilations, however, they remain the most prevalent in schoolyards, uttered when someone looks into the circle.

• Urban Dictionary – Gottem
• Dictionary.com – Got em