Here’s why Southerners say ‘fixin’ to’ (2024)

FAQs

Here’s why Southerners say ‘fixin’ to’? ›

But I would stand up for my Southern heritage and quote Loretta Lynn, "I may be ignorant but I ain't stupid.." Southerners know "fixin' to" has nothing to do with making repairs. It is a handy-dandy phrase meaning "about to." It functions as a verb.

But I would stand up for my Southern heritage and quote Loretta Lynn, “I may be ignorant but I ain't stupid..” Southerners know “fixin' to” has nothing to do with making repairs. It is a handy-dandy phrase meaning “about to.” It functions as a verb.

“Fixin'” is one of our favorite words in the South. We use it like everyone else does when we are going to repair something. However, we also use “fix” as a substitute for “preparation” which has too many “r's” and takes too long to say.

Another Texas phrase that gets the Yankees giggling is “fixin' to.” It's a handy term that's quintessentially Southern, indicating someone is getting ready to do something without fully committing to carrying out the task (“I'm fixin' to pay those bills soon”).

According to the Dictionary of American Regional English, fixin' to is used by speakers in the Southern United States, particularly the South Atlantic and Gulf States.

“Fixin',” however, is commonly used to signal that you're going to do something. That you haven't done it yet, but you're about to. That you've set it in your sights, and you plan to do it, promise. “Fixin' ” is often used in response to a question, nagging or not.

It became common in the U.S. after it first appeared in the early 19th century. This phrase dates to the 14^th century, when "fix" meant "to set one's eye or mind to do something." The meaning of getting ready to do something is American in origin and was first recorded in the 18^th century.

US informal. to be planning to do something: I'm fixing to leave pretty soon. They were fixing to toss him in jail.

If you're fixin' to do something, it has literally nothing to do with fixing anything. Fixin' to means you're about to do something. Like, when your roommate asks you if you're going to wash the dishes and you tell her you're fixin' to do it.

Why do Texans say Hoss? ›

When you think Texas, what comes to mind? For Slate, it's “hoss.” Slate developed a list of official words for each state in the U.S. (For the record, hoss means partner or friend.

Git /ˈɡɪt/ is a term of insult denoting an unpleasant, silly, incompetent, annoying, senile, elderly or childish person. As a mild oath it is roughly on a par with prat and marginally less pejorative than berk.

Non-Texans say: “I'm sorry to hear that.” “Fixin' to” means about to. Texans say: “I'm fixin' to leave.” “Git-R-Done” means get it done.

However, we recommend that you do not use shall in your American English as it sounds too formal, too old-fashioned, and too British. Rather, stick to should or will—depending on the context.

(rare) African-American Vernacular form of fixing to: used to express a desire or future action. I'm fixna go to the store.

The term is commonly used in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Southern American English. It is a contraction of the phrase "fixing to" or "fixing on," which means "getting ready to" or "about to."

"Finna" (so the Urban Dictionary says) comes from "fixing to" in the sense of "planning to": "I'm planning to go" becomes "I'm fixing to go" which softens to "I'm fixin'a go", then drops that troubling 'x' to "I'm f'i'in'a go" and ultimately to "I'm finna go".