Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

I wonder what is the relationship between "catawampus" and Wampus cat."

Here in central Virginia, "catawampus" and "wampus cat" are sometines used interchangeably to refer to a skunk or polecat. A brief google search turned up many references to "wampus cat" in a number of indian legends and folk tales.