cattywampus

English

Etymology

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Seems like a blend of cater-corner + some variation of either wamble or dialectal wampish? Or is this purely a different spelling of catawampus, and if so, which is the canonical or main spelling?”

Pronunciation

Audio (US): (file)

Adjective

cattywampus (not comparable)

Synonym of catawampus (“askew”).
Synonym: skewampus

Measure carefully before cutting, or the entire structure will turn out cattywampus.
Synonym of cater-corner (“diagonal to, not directly across from nor adjacent to”).
City hall is cattywampus to the post office.