Do You Call It Kitty-Corner, Katty-Corner, Or Kattywumpus?

Catty-corner is the preferred term for that corner diagonally across from you, if you're in the southeastern portion of the United States. "Grammar Girl" Mignon Fogarty learned in her reader poll that the preference for catty-corner extends throughout the southeast, west to Texas, and as far north as Pennsylvania. Some poll-takers noted that the preference

Catty-corner is the preferred term for that corner diagonally across from you, if you're in the southeastern portion of the United States. "Grammar Girl" Mignon Fogarty learned in her reader poll that the preference for catty-corner extends throughout the southeast, west to Texas, and as far north as Pennsylvania. Some poll-takers noted that the preference was hyper-regional, dividing states and even families apart. For example, one New Jersey resident used the term kitty-corner, while his wife opted for catty-corner. Another poll-taker admitted to converting from catty-corner to kitty-corner when she moved from New Jersey to New York.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary lists catty-corner as a less common variant of kitty-corner. No matter how it is spelled, the word is an adjective or an adverb, describing either an object, or how something is done. Additional accepted spellings include catty-cornered, kitty-cornered, and cater-cornered.

Caddy-corner is an unofficial variation of catty-corner which does not appear in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. That is because, as Paul Brians, English Professor at Washington State University points out, it is a misspelling of catty-corner, an acceptable variation of the word. 

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