Kitty-Cornered

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "kitty-cornered" means diagonal from something, set across at an angle. It can describe buildings, roads, or objects positioned corner-to-corner.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I probably lean more towards 'catty-cornered', but I also hear kitty-cornered plenty when I'm out n about.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I probably lean more towards 'catty-cornered', but I also hear kitty-cornered plenty when I'm out n about.

Pronunciation

[KIT-ee-kor-nerd]

Meaning & Usage

- Diagonal, corner-to-corner (adjective/adverb)

Mae:

The post office is kitty-cornered to the diner.

Earl:

Got it - I see it over yonder.

variations: kiddy-corner, catty-corner, cater-cornered, diagonal, crosswise

★ "Kitty-cornered" almost always comes up in directions. It means diagonal - not beside, not straight across, but catty-cornered across the street. ★

Origin and Etymology

Comes from the old English word "cater" (meaning diagonal, from French *quatre* = four). Over time, it morphed into "cater-corner," then playful variants like "catty-corner" and "kitty-corner." Settlers carried it into Appalachia and the South, where "kitty-cornered" still sticks in everyday talk.

Usage Notes

Heard widely in the South and Appalachia, but also in other parts of the U.S. Variants like "catty-corner" and "kiddy-corner" are common - all mean the same thing.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Say it plain: "kitty-cornered." Some folks shorten it to "kiddy-corner."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is it "kitty-corner," "catty-corner," or "cater-cornered"?

All three are correct - just regional variations of the same idea.

Does it only describe buildings?

No - it can describe anything placed diagonally, from roads to rugs.

Is it still used today?

Yes, especially in casual speech when giving directions.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 25). Kitty-Cornered. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/kitty-cornered
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Kitty-Cornered." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/kitty-cornered.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Kitty-Cornered." HillbillySlang.com. August 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/kitty-cornered.