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Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most people that grew up here say 'fixin'' in place of 'preparin'' or 'gettin' ready'. But there's no rule - you may hear all three in the same paragraph. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most people that grew up here say 'fixin'' in place of 'preparin'' or 'gettin' ready'. But there's no rule - you may hear all three in the same paragraph. 

Pronunciation

[FIX-un]

Meaning & Usage

- Preparing (verb)

Estel:
Was you fixin' to run to town?
Elmer:
Not 'til afterwhile.

- Side Dishes (noun, always plural)

Elmer:
Are we just eatin' a plate o'ham?
Estel:
Nope. It's ham and all the fixin's.

- Repairing (verb)

Estel:
Man he's out there fixin' that wagon again.
Elmer:
Won't be long 'til he's fixed it all the way to the hole.
variations: fixin, fixin to, fixin’a, fixins
★ If someone’s "fixin’ to," they might do it right away" or just afterwhile. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the verb "fix," meaning "to prepare" or "to repair," combined with "to" for the sense of "getting ready to." The food-related plural "fixin’s" for side dishes likely comes from the idea of "all the things needed to fix (prepare) a meal."

Usage Notes

When used as a verb, "fixin’" almost always appears with "to," as in "I’m fixin’ to leave." In rapid speech, it may sound like "fixin’a." As a noun, it’s almost always plural and refers to the accompaniments to a main dish.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Do people still say "fixin’" today?
Absolutely. You’ll hear it daily in much of the South and Appalachia, often in casual conversation.
What about the food-related "fixin’s"? Does that really mean "side dishes"?
Yes. It’s a quick way to refer to all the other things on the table besides the main dish.
Is "fixin’ to" just a regional version of "about to"?
Pretty much. "I’m fixin’ to go" is functionally the same as "I’m about to go," but with more Southern flavor.
Can "fixin’" mean "repairing" outside of the South?
Yes - the repairing sense is standard English. The "preparing to" sense is the one that’s strongly associated with the South and Appalachia.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Fixin’. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing/
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Fixin’." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing/.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Fixin’." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing/.
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