An American dialect word for anything out of alignment or set diagonally when it should be straight. In a shop it describes a part clamped crooked in the vise, a cocked bearing, a twisted weldment or a bracket that came out of square. It is milder than calling something scrap and usually means it can still be fixed.
Whole frame came out cattywampus after welding, you should have tacked both sides before running the beads.
Also heard as
- catawampus
- cockeyed
- askew
Related terms
Tram
To square a mill head or spindle to the table so the spindle axis is truly perpendicular.
Indicate
To align a vise, part or bore to the machine axes using a dial or test indicator.
Bodge
A crude, makeshift repair or piece of work that does the job, but only just.
Dog's breakfast
A complete mess: a badly organized job, a tangled setup or a botched piece of work.