What is the origin of the term chutzpah?

The word chutzpah entered the English language in the late 19th century. It is supposed to have been derived from khutspe, belonging to the Yiddish language. Khuptse means impudence or gall. Khutspe itself was derived from the Hebrew word hutspah. Today, chutzpah means supreme self-confidence, courage bordering on arrogance, audacity or nerve. The words chutzpa, hutzpah and hutzpa are its variants.