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.
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.
The post office is kitty-cornered to the diner.
Earl:
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
Say it plain: "kitty-cornered." Some folks shorten it to "kiddy-corner."