Kitty-corner and Copycat
If you didn’t know these two words–kitty-corner and copycat–you may think they have something to do with cats, but they don’t.
A kitty is what we call a small or baby cat. However, kitty-corner means that something is located diagonally across from something else, usually across an intersection where two streets meet.
In this picture, the chicken is kitty-corner from the restaurant. The bench (long seat) is kitty-corner from the two trees. There are no cats–or kitties–anywhere.
Copycat (or copy cater) is a word used by children to refer to someone who copies someone else’s ideas or behavior, such as the way they dress or the way they speak. Adults sometimes use it jokingly to mean the same thing.
For example, if I cut my hair short and bleached it (made it a lighter color), and the following week, Jeff cut his hair and bleached it, I may say, “Jeff, you are a copycat.” Of course, those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a long time know that that would be impossible!
~ Lucy
May 8th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I learned more two words today!
I was trying understand the joke at image above. After some word definition I understood.
funny!
May 8th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Because Jeff is as bald as a ball, but with more brains.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Yeees, it reminds me your first episod of “Karaoke English” where you copycated The Beatles http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=425
Moony says: “if you haven’t posted any Beatles’ song yet, i recomend you do”. He/she obviously did not watch this
May 8th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I didn’t know anything about these words before, but now I know something new and very useful I think.
Copycat? this word reminds me a movie?. It’s possible one from Sigourney Weber?. I have to ask
Cuca for the name of this actress, she likes her a lot after we saw Alien 2
New words, new meaning, this is wonderfull ….Thanks Lucy.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Having the opportunity to get in touch with native every-day expressions, words, or slangs is really useful for those who are learning English and do not live in a country where English is the first language. They help us get more alike to a native speaker. Thanks for you effort to teach them to us!
May 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I didn’t know this expression too.
Kitty make me think to Hello Kitty, the little cat.
T h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h
May 10th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Hi, In the T.V. show HEROS there are a copycat, an actress can do anything that she want only with see other person do.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:37 am
thank you for the words, Lucy, and thank you too for the joke in the picture.. jeje, I do not understood at first!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Dear Lucy and Jeff,
I so like your jokes and the way you are writing and speaking