What is kitty corner?

"Kitty corner" (also spelled "catty corner," "catty-cornered," or "kitty-cornered") is an expression used in American English to describe something that is positioned diagonally opposite from a particular point or location. The term is often used when talking about buildings, intersections, or other objects in a neighborhood or city setting. For example, if a building is "kitty corner" from a particular store, it means the building is situated diagonally across the intersection from the store.

The origins of "kitty corner" are believed to be from a mix of linguistic evolution and regional dialects. The word "catty" comes from the Middle English term "cater," which comes from the French word "quatre," meaning "four." The term "cater" was used in Old English to signify a four-cornered shape or something positioned at an angle. Over time, "cater" became "catty" or "kitty," leading to the current variations of "kitty corner" seen today.

Though "kitty corner" is most commonly used in the United States, the term "diagonally opposite" is used more widely in other English-speaking regions to convey the same meaning.