catwampus

1. Describing an object or movement, with the first part out of line with the second part.
2. The motion of a vehicle which has the front axle alignment slightly offset from the back axle alignment, causing the vehicle to track diagonally as it moves down the road.
3. The motion of an any animal that runs or moves with its body slightly diagonal to the forward direction, similar to a cat.
4. Parts out of alignment.
5. Something that just doesn't work out.
6. A crooked object.
7. A haphazard arrangment of things.
8. A wildcat in the Tennessee woods.

Pronunciation: cat-a-wom-puss (or) cat' whom-puss

Catwampus is usually preceded by the words "run", "went", "slightly", or "kinda".

Origin: From the word Wampus, a Tennessee and Kentucky hillbilly slang name for the legendary mountain lion or wildcat. Wildcats run fast with their hind legs very offset to one side from their front legs. They are often afraid of humans and therefore are often viewed from the rear as they are running away.

Also spelled: cat'wampus, cat-wampus, cattywampus, catawampus, caddywampus, catawompas, caddywhampus, catterwampus, catterwhompus.

"The 18 wheeler semi tractor trailer truck drove catwampus down the highway because the trailer wheels were not aligned well."

"The project went catwampus because the workers and the management just didn't see eye to eye."

"The picture on the wall was slightly catwampus after the storm."

"The wagon wheel ran catwampus after hitting a rock when the horses were spooked."

by Bonnie Crystal October 21, 2007

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catywampus

when something goes unexpectedly or gets out of control.

girl 1: “woah we just flew off the sled.”
girl 2: “ahh that was catywampus!”

by 19328382838 November 5, 2020

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caddywompus

describes a person, place, or thing which is functioning or performing poorly and not at full potential; with a person this may mean being clumsy or forgetting things uncharacteristically; this word might be used to describe anyone displaying uncharacteristic behavior socially or physically; this word is generally not meant in a derogatory way when directed to the person being described, but may be used to describe someone's actions (even one's own actions) so that the person be made aware of the fact that he or she is not performing tasks very well and/or to suggest he or she should fix the problem; outside the presence of the person described or when referring to a place or thing this word is usually meant in a more derogatory sense; with places and things this usually refers to some deficiency that needs attention

"Look at me.. I am all caddywompus today; let me get some coffee first and I'll straighten up."
"You seem caddywompus this morning; rough night?"
"Yea, I guess she was so caddywompus she drove right into the telephone pole."
"This town is caddywompus as hell...NO BARS?!?"
"That controller is all caddywompus now and cuts out since I spilled liquor on the analog stick."

by Baby J[ebus] August 21, 2009

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