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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19 |
i checked to see if this was a YART (hi kev), but my searches came up empty save one oblique reference... i used the phrase kitty corner the other day and it fell on confused ears. is this an uncommon term? i LIU'd and it appears the original was 'catty corner' (from the french '4'), and the transmogrification  from that to 'kitty' seems natural, but is this only a regional permutation? and of those of you who use it, do you reserve it (as i do) for use in describing physical locations when giving directions involving actual corners (eg: it's kitty corner from the gas station at the intersection of X and Y streets)?
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Kitty corner, catty corner, catta corner. And yes, I would use it (almost) solely for the description of a physical relationship based on location at a street intersection. I have heard it used in a context in which I would have used diagonal or cattawampus, to describe a building that was not square to the nearest road, but would not consider such usage to be at all common.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19 |
cattawampus??
now that one's not on m-w at all. any clue as to the etymology? other usage examples? always an adjective? and dare i ask about the plural ~ a row of squat cattawampi tenements framing the bleakest corner of the city? hmm, i kinda like it.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Or either cattywampus, one. I'd say, e.g., the building was cattywampus to the street. But even that's not the common usage. The common usage would be more like, "rather than making a neat pile, Faldage left the old newspapers scattered all cattywampus on the floor."
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
Kitty corner is very familiar and always seems to be about intersections around here. I have heard cattawumpus but rarely enough that I had forgotten it. I do like the sound it makes. Makes me think of a skein of wool after cats been playing with it.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
as Fald the Wampuser says. 
formerly known as etaoin...
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19 |
i reckon the 'whom' was just an attempt to get us to aspirate the "W" a bit.... but i also reckon you knew that =)
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