adjective
General Slang
cattywampus
KAT-ee-WOM-pus · adjective · informal
Askew, crooked, or diagonally out of line.
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Definitions
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Describes something not properly aligned—tilted, off-kilter, or in disarray. Also spelled catawampus.
“He hung that picture all cattywampus.”
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cattywampus In A Sentence
He hung that picture all cattywampus.
Origin & Usage
American coinage from the 1830s–40s; likely from obsolete "cater" (to move diagonally) plus a fanciful ending, part of the mock-classical slang of the era.
People Also Ask
What does cattywampus mean?
Cattywampus means askew, crooked, or diagonally out of line, describing something tilted, off-kilter, or in disarray.
How do you spell cattywampus?
It's spelled 'cattywampus' or 'catawampus,' with several informal variants.
Where does cattywampus come from?
It's an American coinage from the 1830s–40s, likely from the obsolete 'cater' (to move diagonally) plus a fanciful ending.
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