Shock, horror, gasp. I have found an error in two of our most trusted online logophile sites. In discussing "catawampus" Random House http:// http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19981015 says it is first recorded in the 1850s, while The Word Detective http:// http://www.word-detective.com/100297.html#cattywampus dates it to the 1880s "or earlier".

In fact, Charles Dickens uses the word in Martin Chuzzlewit, written 1843-4, just after a visit to the US. Part of the action takes place in the US, and one of the locals is quoted as saying, "There air some catawampous chawers in the small way too, as graze upon a human pretty strong; but don't mind them, they're company." For it to have come to Dickens's attention in a short visit, it must have already been well established.

Can anyone find an earlier reference?



Bingley

the earliest citation given by the OED is 1/23/1840, in a publication named "Spirit of Times", and used as a noun in the sense of some fierce beast (which lends some credence to the notion that it was an alteration of 'catamount'). how it morphed from meaning 'fierce' to meaning 'askew' is also a mystery.

Thank you tswum, I knew I could count on you.

Bingley