General
kitty-corner
What does kitty-corner mean?
Positioned diagonally across an intersection or from another object. Common across the North, Midland, and West.
"The bait shop is kitty-corner from the library."
Origin
From 'cater' (French 'quatre,' four); 'cater-cornered' softened to 'kitty-corner.' DARE records it as chiefly Northern/Western.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'kitty-corner' mean?
It means positioned diagonally across an intersection or from another object.
Where does 'kitty-corner' come from?
It derives from 'cater' (from French 'quatre,' meaning four); 'cater-cornered' softened over time into 'kitty-corner.'
How do you use 'kitty-corner'?
Use it to describe a diagonal position, like 'The bait shop is kitty-corner from the library.'
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