General
catawampus
What does catawampus mean?
An early meaning of the word: fierce, destructive, or savage, before its "askew" sense dominated.
"That old bull's got a catawampus streak in him."
Origin
American slang of the 1830s–40s; "catawampusly" first meant "fiercely, utterly."
Frequently asked questions
What does "catawampus" mean?
In its older sense it means fierce or savage; in modern use it usually means crooked, askew, or out of alignment.
How do you use "catawampus"?
Older sense: "That old bull's got a catawampus streak in him." Modern sense: "That fence post is all catawampus."
Where does "catawampus" come from?
It's American slang from the 1830s–40s; the form "catawampusly" first meant "fiercely, utterly."
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