howcatchem

English

Etymology

From how +‎ catch +‎ 'em, modelled on whodunit.

Noun

howcatchem (plural howcatchems)

1. A mystery novel or drama which begins by showing or describing the commission of the crime, generally revealing the perpetrator's identity to the audience, then shows or describes how the detective proves the perpetrator's guilt.
   • 2002, Marc Robinson, Brought to You in Living Color: 75 Years of Great Moments in Television & Radio from NBC, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN:

     Columbo was not so much a whodunit as it was a "howcatchem" — the fun was in watching Columbo corner the murderer, and we never tired of the game.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:howcatchem.