Is It Kitty Corner or Catty Corner?
Have you ever heard someone say something is kitty corner or catty corner and wondered what they were talking about? Don’t worry—it’s not about cats!
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What Does Kitty Corner or Catty Corner Mean?
Both phrases mean the same thing: something positioned diagonally across from another point. Picture standing on one corner of a block and looking at the opposite diagonal corner—that’s it.
For example:
- “The coffee shop is kitty corner to the library, so it’s easy to grab a latte on your way to study.”
- “The playground is catty corner from the school, so it’s just a short walk for the kids after class.”
Here’s where it gets fun: kitty corner and catty corner are just regional variations.
Kitty Corner or Catty Corner: Are They the Same?
People in the Midwest and the West often say “kitty corner,” while folks in the South love “catty corner.”
Both terms came from cater-corner, which itself comes from the French word quatre (meaning “four”)—referring to the four corners of a square.
So, whether you’re team kitty or team catty, the meaning stays the same. It’s just one of those quirky, regional bits of language that makes conversations more interesting!
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Kitty-Corner or Catty Corner on a Map?
When you hear someone say kitty-corner or catty corner in the context of a map, they’re describing a diagonal relationship between two points. Imagine looking at an intersection: if one building is on the northeast corner and another is on the southwest corner, they’re kitty-corner (or catty corner) from each other.
Examples of Kitty Corner or Catty Corner
- “In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter’s school is kitty-corner from the bodega he loves—his two worlds practically overlap on the map.”
- “The tiny bakery is catty-corner to the laundromat. You can smell croissants baking while folding your clothes—it’s a vibe.”
- “The thrift store is kitty-corner to the indie theater. Find a vintage jacket, then catch a black-and-white classic—it’s like stepping back in time.”
- “In that scene from La La Land, the jazz club is catty-corner to the restaurant where Sebastian worked—it’s all so visually connected.”
- “At the downtown art fair, the pottery booth was kitty-corner to the live painting exhibit. You could hear brushstrokes while picking out a new vase.”
- “The family-owned hardware store is catty-corner to the bakery. You can smell fresh bread as you pick out screws and nails for your weekend project.”
- “On campus, the library is kitty-corner to the student union building. Study, grab coffee, repeat—it’s basically the college experience in two corners.”
- “The skatepark is catty-corner to the music store, so the soundtrack to tricks and flips is always fresh.”
What Is a Catty Corner Keycard?
A catty-corner keycard describes a keycard or access card that’s placed diagonally from its intended lock or reader. It’s not an official term, but it’s a fun, descriptive way to explain the positioning. Think about when something isn’t directly next to or across from you but instead sits at an angle—yep, that’s catty-corner.
For instance, imagine you’re in an escape room (the Saw series, anyone?) where the keycard you find isn’t conveniently located by the door you need to open. Instead, it’s catty-corner, across the room, adding to the tension. Or maybe in a futuristic office setup, the keycard scanner is catty-corner to the entrance, strategically placed to guide the flow of people coming in.
What Is Catty Corner in Fortnite?
In Fortnite, Catty Corner is the name of a location on the map that first appeared in Chapter 2, Season 3. Nestled in the southeast corner of the map, it’s a small area known for its mix of quirky charm and high-intensity gameplay. The spot features a gas station, a convenience store, and a few hidden surprises like vaults and loot chests.
What makes Catty Corner so memorable is its unique role in the game. When it was introduced, it became home to the Mythic Shockwave Launcher and Kit’s Charge Shotgun, guarded by none other than Kit, the adorable yet deadly robotic cat. Players would descend into chaotic battles for control of the vault keycard, which unlocked some of the best loot in the game.
Is It Kittywampus or Cattywampus?
The short answer? Both are correct, depending on where you’re from! Kittywampus and cattywampus are fun, quirky words that mean the same thing: something that’s crooked, askew, or positioned chaotically or diagonally.
For example:
- “The picture frame on the wall is totally kittywampus—you might want to straighten it.”
- “After the storm, the fence was left all cattywampus, with boards leaning every which way.”
The difference is purely regional. Cattywampus tends to show up more in the South, while kittywampus is heard in the Midwest. It’s like choosing between soda, pop, or cola—it’s all about where you’re from and what rolls off the tongue.
Imagine one of those zany home makeovers on Fixer Upper, where a shelf ends up a bit kittywampus after Chip’s “DIY moment.” Or think of Stranger Things, where the Byers’ Christmas lights looked a little cattywampus but turned out to be a supernatural hotline to the Upside Down.
In the end, whether you say kittywampus or cattywampus, you’re talking about something slightly off-center but with a lot of personality—just like these words themselves!
Similar Terms in English
English is full of creative words to describe things that are crooked, messy, or just not quite right. Whether you’re channeling a whimsical vibe or keeping it casual, there’s a term for every scenario.
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Catawampus
“Imagine a game of Jenga gone terribly wrong, with the tower looking all catawampus but somehow still standing. It’s like defying gravity most awkwardly.”
This Southern charmer works when something’s out of alignment, whether it’s furniture or life plans.
Whopperjawed
“The tent at the outdoor festival looked whopperjawed after that sudden windstorm—it felt like a scene straight out of Twister.”
A word that practically screams Southern charm, it’s perfect for describing anything that looks wildly uneven.
Lopsided
“Remember that time Zendaya wore a high-low dress at the Met Gala? Stunning, but undeniably lopsided in the coolest way possible.”
This classic term gets the job done for anything leaning to one side.
Askew
“You know how in Stranger Things, the lights in the Byers’ living room are always askew? It’s both unsettling and iconic at the same time.”
This word fits when something’s just slightly off but still noticeable.
Skew-whiff
“That time you tried to hang fairy lights in your dorm, but they ended up all skew-whiff like you were going for an abstract art vibe? Yeah, we’ve all been there.”
A British favorite, it brings a casual charm to the idea of being crooked.
Awry
“In Breaking Bad, when Walter’s ‘perfect plan’ went awry, you knew things were about to spiral into chaos.”
Awry doesn’t just mean tilted—it hints at things going totally off course.
Crooked
“You know how Jack Sparrow’s smile is always a little crooked, like he’s up to no good? That’s the energy of this word.”
Simple, straightforward, and versatile, “crooked” works for both literal and figurative messiness.
Off-Kilter
“You ever see one of those Wes Anderson movie sets where everything is perfectly symmetrical, except one tiny chair that’s off-kilter? Drives you nuts, right?”
This term is all about balance—or the lack of it.
Wonky
“The Wi-Fi in my dorm is so wonky—it’s like it knows I have a paper due and decides to ghost me.”
Great for describing things that are unreliable or unstable, like sketchy internet or an old chair.
Higgledy-Piggledy
“The LEGO bricks on my little cousin’s floor were higgledy-piggledy—just waiting to take someone down like a final boss in Mario Kart.”
This whimsical term is perfect for describing delightful disarray.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion between terms like kitty corner and catty-corner or even similar quirky words like kittywampus and cattywampus often boils down to regional dialects, evolving language, and plain old mishearing.
For starters, these words sound similar, and their roots in old English or French (like cater meaning “four”) make them feel interchangeable. Over time, different regions adopted their own versions—some areas say “kitty,” while others prefer “catty.” It’s like the soda vs. pop vs. Coke debate; the meaning is the same, but the term you use depends on where you’re from.
Pop culture plays a part, too. People might mishear these words in movies or shows, especially when they’re used casually. Imagine someone saying, “The house is kitty-corner to the park” in a fast-paced scene—it’s easy to misinterpret as “catty-corner” or something else entirely.
And let’s be real: these terms aren’t exactly part of your everyday vocabulary unless you’re describing a diagonal shortcut or a crooked object. So, when they do pop up, they feel unfamiliar which leads to a bit of second-guessing.
In short, the confusion is just another quirk of the English language—messy, fascinating, and sometimes a little kittywampus itself!
Final Thoughts
The beauty of English is its flexibility—words take on new forms and meanings depending on where you live or what you hear. So, whether you say “kitty” or “catty,” it’s all about what feels natural to you. And hey, a little linguistic variety never hurt anyone—it’s what makes language fun and unique.
Remember, even small misunderstandings like these are part of learning and growing. If you want to stay sharp and polished in your writing (or avoid mixing up words altogether), try tools like Arvin AI’s Grammar Checker to catch those sneaky errors before they trip you up.
FAQ
Both are correct! The term varies by region, with “kitty corner” being more popular in the Midwest and West, and “catty corner” favored in the South and East. They both mean “diagonally opposite.”
The term “kitty corner” likely stems from the French word quatre (meaning “four”), referring to the diagonal relationship of corners in a square. Over time, the word evolved into its current playful form in English.
In British English, the term “kitty corner” isn’t commonly used. Instead, phrases like “diagonally opposite” or “on the diagonal” are preferred.
In slang, kitty-corner refers to something positioned diagonally across from another point. For example, “The coffee shop is kitty-corner to the park entrance.”
“Catty-corner” is often used in the Southern and Eastern United States, but it’s essentially interchangeable with “kitty-corner.” Both terms mean the same thing but have regional preferences.
In Fortnite, “Catty Corner” refers to a specific location on the map. It’s a small area often featuring loot chests and challenges, making it a popular spot for players to land.
A kitty-corner door refers to a door that’s positioned diagonally across from another door or entrance in a room or building.
Both words are used to describe something crooked or out of alignment. “Kittywampus” is slightly more common in Midwest regions, while “cattywampus” is used in the South. Neither is technically wrong!
