How Do You Spell CATTY CORNER?

Pronunciation: [kˈati kˈɔːnə] (IPA)

The idiomatic expression "catty corner" is used to describe something located diagonally across from another object. This phrase is spelled as "catty corner" or "kitty corner," depending on regional variations. The phonetic transcription of "catty corner" is /ˈkæti ˈkɔrnər/, where the stress falls on the first syllable of each word. The word "catty" in this context is an Americanism that means "crosswise or diagonal," while "corner" refers to the location at the end of a street or at an intersection.

CATTY CORNER Meaning and Definition

1. Catty corner is an American English idiomatic expression that refers to a position or direction that is diagonal or diagonal across from another object or location. This term is also known as "catercorner," "kitty corner," or "caddy corner" in different regions of the United States. It is commonly used in conversations to describe two points that are situated diagonally opposite each other.

   In terms of physical placement, catty corner can be used to describe the positioning of two buildings, streets, or objects situated at an angle to each other rather than being directly across or adjacent. This term can also refer to the position of two people sitting, facing, or standing diagonally across from each other.

   The origin of the term is unclear, but it is believed to have derived from the words "cater," which means to slant or slope, and "corner." The use of "catty" in place of "cater" could be related to the idea of cats being known for slinking around corners or taking an indirect path. Although the earliest recorded reference to this term is from the mid-19th century, its usage became more prevalent in the 20th century.

   Overall, catty corner is a descriptive term used to indicate the diagonal relationship or positioning of two objects, people, or locations in American English.

Common Misspellings for CATTY CORNER

• catty-corner
• catti-corner
• cattycoarner
• cattycorener
• xatty corner
• vatty corner
• fatty corner
• datty corner
• cztty corner
• cstty corner
• cwtty corner
• cqtty corner
• carty corner
• cafty corner
• cagty corner
• cayty corner
• ca6ty corner
• ca5ty corner
• catry corner
• catfy corner

Etymology of CATTY CORNER

The word catty corner is derived from the term catercorner or cater-cornered. Cater is an alteration of the word diagonal, which comes from the Latin word diagonus, meaning slanting. Corner refers to a point where two lines or surfaces meet. Cater-cornered originally meant something situated diagonally across from something else. Over time, it transformed into catty corner or catty-corner, likely due to a misinterpretation or mispronunciation of the original term. There is no specific reference to cats in the etymology of catty corner.