If someone tells you that a picture is hanging cattywampus or that the furniture in a room is arranged a little cattywampus, they’re probably not talking about a new decorating trend. They’re using an old-fashioned American expression to describe something that’s crooked, askew or otherwise out of place.Cattywampus (also spelled catawampus) is one of those unusual words that sounds like it should mean something much more complicated than it does. It’s been around for nearly 200 years, and its meaning has evolved over time.While you might not hear it in everyday conversation as often as words like “crooked” or “lopsided,” cattywampus remains a colorful way to describe something that’s not quite straight—or when things aren’t going quite as planned.Here’s what to know about the meaning of cattywampus, how to pronounce it and where the unusual expression originated.Related: What Is the Fear of Long Words Called?
What Does ‘Cattywampus’ Mean?
Cattywampus means crooked, askew, awry or positioned diagonally. It’s often used to describe something that isn’t properly aligned or is sitting at an odd angle.For example, if a picture frame is hanging crookedly on a wall, you could say it’s cattywampus. The same goes for a chair that’s positioned at an awkward angle or a piece of furniture that isn’t lined up with the rest of the room.According to Cambridge Dictionary, the word and its spelling variant, catawampus, can also describe something “going badly, awkwardly or in the wrong direction.” If your plans for the day have fallen apart, you might say that everything has gone cattywampus.It’s an informal American expression, particularly associated with Southern and Midland speech.Related: What Is the Smell of Rain Called?
How Do You Pronounce ‘Cattywampus’?
This balcony is all cattywampus.Joel Carillet, Canva
Although the spelling might look intimidating at first, the word is relatively straightforward to say once you break it into syllables. Cattywampus is generally pronounced “KAT-ee-WOM-pus,” with the emphasis on the third syllable. The alternative spelling, catawampus, is pronounced “KAT-uh-WOM-pus.”
Is It ‘Cattywampus’ or ‘Catawampus’?
Both spellings are used. Merriam-Webster identifies cattywampus as a dialectal variant of catawampus. Collins Dictionary also recognizes both spellings. The two versions generally carry the same meaning: askew, awry or positioned diagonally. So whether you spell it with a “y” or an “a,” you’re still describing something that’s a little out of place.Related: Why Do Southerners Say ‘Y’all’? The Surprisingly Useful Reason Behind the Word
Where Did the Word ‘Cattywampus’ Come From?
The exact origins of cattywampus aren’t entirely settled, but the word dates back at least to the 1830s and 1840s.
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the earliest form appeared as catawampusly in 1834. The expression initially had a different sense, meaning something like “utterly” or “completely,” and was also associated with fierceness or eagerness.
Over time, the word developed additional meanings, including askew, awry and diagonally positioned when used as an adjective—and even an “imaginary hobgoblin” when used as a noun.
One possible explanation for the “askew” definition connects the first part of the word to the older term cater, meaning to move or position something diagonally. This is also associated with expressions such as “cater-cornered” and “catty-corner.” The second part (-wampus) may have a connection to the Scottish word wampish, meaning to wriggle, twist or swerve.
However, linguists caution against treating any one explanation as definitive. In other words, cattywampus has been around long enough to develop quite a few twists and turns of its own.
Is ‘Cattywampus’ a Southern Word?
Yes, cattywampus is particularly associated with American regional speech, especially in the South and parts of the Midwest. That doesn’t mean the expression is exclusive to those regions, however. It’s understood more broadly, and people can use it in casual conversation regardless of where they live.
Like many regional expressions, cattywampus has a distinctly conversational quality. It’s a playful alternative to more straightforward words such as crooked, uneven or misaligned.
What Are Some Examples of ‘Cattywampus’ in a Sentence?
Wondering how to work cattywampus into a conversation? Here are a few examples:
“That picture frame is hanging cattywampus. Can you straighten it?” “The chairs were arranged cattywampus around the dining table.” “After the storm, the fence was leaning cattywampus.” “My entire morning went cattywampus when I missed the train.” “The shelves are all cattywampus, so we should probably rearrange them.”In each example, the word describes something that’s crooked, out of alignment or not going according to plan. It’s an informal expression, so it works best in everyday conversation rather than formal or professional writing.
The bottom line: Cattywampus might sound like a made-up word, but it’s a legitimate American expression with a history dating back at least to the 19th century. So the next time something is crooked, out of place or generally going wrong, you have a particularly entertaining word to describe it.
Related: What Is the Smell of Old Books Called?
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