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Askew or awry; positioned diagonally or in disarray.
synonyms:askewawry
The term 'catawampus' is believed to have originated from the Southern United States in the mid-19th century. It is thought to be a blend of the word 'catty-cornered', which means diagonal, and 'wampus', a variant of 'wampus cat', a mythical creature of folklore.
Everyday use, particularly in informal contexts or regional dialects.
While not commonly used in formal writing, 'catawampus' has a charming quality that makes it popular in casual speech, especially in Southern and rural areas.
The shelves were all catawampus after the earthquake, making it difficult to find anything.
She set the picture frame on the wall, but it looked a bit catawampus, so she adjusted it.
His plans for the weekend went catawampus when the storm rolled in unexpectedly.
Catawampus is a whimsical word that brings a smile to the face of anyone who hears it. Originating from the Southern United States, it conveys a sense of delightful chaos, describing things that are askew or in disorder. It’s often used in everyday conversation to humorously point out how things have gone slightly off-kilter. So, the next time your plans go awry or your furniture is not quite aligned, just call it catawampus and embrace the quirky charm of the word!