#24: “Cattywampus”

Catawampus, catty-corner, wonky—all playful words, but none quite as fun as cattywampus! This Southern gem describes anything crooked, askew, or just plain out of whack. A tilted picture frame? Cattywampus. A plan that’s gone completely off the rails? Also cattywampus.

Even a person stirring up trouble can be described this way, adding a bit of color to the chaos. Like many quirky Southern words, it sounds made up, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself using it all the time. Because let’s be honest—life is a little cattywampus more often than not!