cattywampus

cattywampus pronunciation

/kat-ee-WAHM-pus/

Meaning

When something sits cattywampus, it is not lined up the way it ought to be. A picture hangs crooked. The pickup is parked diagonal across two spots. A whole day goes sideways and nothing sits right. Southern and Appalachian talk uses this for furniture, fences, plans, and people who look a little off-kilter. Same idea shows up as catawampus and kittywampus.

How folks use it

• “That barn door's hanging all cattywampus since the storm.”
• “Don't set the table cattywampus. Straighten them chairs up.”

Origin and etymology

American colloquial word from the 1800s, with deep roots in Southern and Midland speech. Exact origin is uncertain. One common guess ties the front half to older cater (diagonal), like catty-corner, and the back half to Scots wampish (twist or swerve). It may also be playful nonsense talk that stuck. Spellings wander: catawampus, cattywampus, kittywampus.

Frequently asked questions