catawampus
Americanadjective
-
askew; awry.
-
positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.
adverb
Usage
Where does catawampus come from? Catawampus, meaning "askew, diagonal," is first recorded in the 1830–40s. Originally, catawampus also meant "fierce." It's thought to be an American colloquialism influenced by the cater- in cater-cornered (or for many of us, kitty-corner) and wampish, Scottish for "flopping about."Many more amusing Americanisms await in our slideshow "These Wacky Words Originated In The USA."
Etymology
Origin of catawampus
First recorded in 1830–40 for earlier sense “utterly”; cata- diagonally ( see cater-cornered) + -wampus, perhaps akin to wampish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Is there not an American wine called Catawampus?
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, April 23, 1892 by Various
Whenever the barometer goes up two points Catawampus must be remembered.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98, 1890.05.10 by Various
I thought gods only drank vanilla on Mount Catawampus.'
From Options by Henry, O.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
