Why do Southerners say fixin?

One reason we love "fixin' to" is that it's vague. It doesn't have to mean "about to do something in the next 10 seconds." Or even the next hour or next day. That gives the speaker a little time to prepare to do something.
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What does fixin slang mean?

"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.
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Where did the term fixin to come from?

This phrase dates to the 14th 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 18th century. The Oxford English Dictionary cited this 1716 example: "He fixes for another expedition." Don't Edit.
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What states say fixin to?

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.
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What words do Southerners say weird?

Here are eight of the most perplexing Southern words that people from other places simply wouldn't understand.
  • 'Coke' Billionaire Warren Buffett says he drinks five Cokes a day. ...
  • 'Fixing' Shutterstock. ...
  • 'Barbecue' Flickr / Carlos Pacheco. ...
  • 'Buggy' ...
  • 'Mash' ...
  • 'Yankee' ...
  • 'Sweeper' ...
  • 'Foot'
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25 words true Southerners Say - True Southern Accent



What do Southerners call the toilet?

“Commode” While the commode may sound like the fancy captain's quarters on a cruise ship, it's really just another word for the toilet. You're more likely to hear a Southerner say this phrase than restroom or potty. However, a Southern belle may still call the bathroom the powder room.
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How do Southerners say pretty?

These compliments and lighthearted digs have Southern flair aplenty.
  • She's as pretty as a peach.
  • They're as pretty as a pitcher. ( ...
  • He's a tall drink of iced tea.
  • They're as happy as clams at high tide.
  • She's as smart as all get out.
  • They're finer than frogs' hair split four ways.
  • She's got gumption.
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Why do Texans say fixin?

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.
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What is the most Southern thing to say?

We chose 15 of the most ridiculous Southern sayings — and tried to explain them.
  1. “We're living in high cotton.” ...
  2. “She was madder than a wet hen.” ...
  3. “He could eat corn through a picket fence.” ...
  4. “You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.” ...
  5. “You look rode hard and put up wet.” ...
  6. “He's as drunk as Cooter Brown.”
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Is Buggy a Southern word?

Buggy. Those precious Yanks might think "buggies" are irrelevant for anyone who doesn't have a baby or use a horse for transportation. Not so in the South, though! This is just southern slang for a shopping cart.
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What does I'm Fixin to mean?

“I'm fixin' to go to the store” means “I'm getting ready to go to the market.” Fixin' to can also be written as “fitna” or “finna,” for those folks who want to elide the two words and make life even simpler.
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What are some Southern slang terms?

These Are All the Slang Terms You'll Only Hear in the South
  • Buggy.
  • Fixin'
  • Druthers.
  • High cotton.
  • Bubba and Sissy.
  • Hoecake.
  • Catawampus.
  • Piddling.
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Why do Southerners have an accent?

Where Does the Southern Accent Come From? The development of the Southern accent occurred over hundreds of years and had many contributing factors to its spread, most notably immigration and slavery. The main origin of the accent comes from British immigrants.
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Is Ain't a Southern word?

Ain't is in common usage of educated Southerners. In the South, the use of ain't can be used as a marker to separate cultured speakers from those who lack confidence in their social standing and thus avoid its use entirely.
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What does Southern drip mean?

If you have the drip, it means you have swagger, especially in how you look. You're hot. You're cool. You're on point. You've got the sauce.
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Is fixing to a southern thing?

"Fixing to ..." is common usage in the southern US, meaning "about to" or "preparing to" do something, but rarely if ever at the beginning of a sentence.
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What do Southerners call their mom?

Younger Southerners, like the rest of country, prefer the term Mom. The poll revealed, too, that Southern Democrats tend to say Momma or Mama, while their Republicans are partial to Mom.
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How do you say hello in Southern slang?

Howdy. This is a Southern way to say hello. Howdy!
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What state has the most southern accent?

Mississippi edged out Alabama as the most Southern state by just two votes. Ninety-eight percent of 41,947 readers surveyed thought Mississippi was Southern (which makes it more Southern than Iowa is Midwestern).
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Do people in Texas say y all?

In most of the places where it is used y'all is the missing second person plural pronoun that standard English does not have. It is mostly used in informal speech in the American states in and bordering the old Confederacy. In parts of Texas, by experience, West Texas, y'all is used as a polite form of singular you.
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What does git mean in Texas?

Git- to leave. Gully-washer- an unexpected amount of rain. Hanker- to feel a strong desire for or to do something. Holler- a loud cry of shout. Hoot- an amusing person or thing.
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How do Texans spell Y all?

If there's one thing Texans love more than saying y'all, it's a good argument. Texas Monthly readers react to the Department of Criminal Justice's use of “ya'll” instead of “y'all.”
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How do Southerners say sugar?

I should also note that we rarely use “r's.” Sugah for sugar, suppah for supper. We also don't pronounce “t's” and almost never use “g's” at the ending of words. Southerners say Adlanna for Atlanta. We also say puddin' and lookin'.
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What do Southerners say when mad?

For instance, down south, "madder than a wet hen" means being angry, "over yonder" is a more poetic way of saying "over there," and "bless your heart" can be both an insult and a way to show empathy. Keep scrolling to see 25 Southern words and expressions you probably won't hear anywhere else.
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