Dice
 
 
Next post.
Previous post.

Fixin’ Hair

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "fixin’ my hair" (commonly written "fixing hair") means getting one’s hair ready or styled - brushing, curling, or otherwise preparing it. It reflects the broader Southern use of "fix" or "fixin’" to mean "prepare" rather than "repair." (See also Fixin’.)

#SouthernWords   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

Pronunciation

[FIX-in hayr]

Meaning & Usage

- Preparing or styling one’s hair (verb phrase/dialect)

Before going out
Mae:
Y’all ready yet?

Earl:
Hang on - she’s fixin’ her hair.

- Example of the broader Southern use of ‘fixin’ (verb phrase)

Explaining the meaning
Mae:
Why say fixin’ instead of doin’?

Earl:
It’s just how we talk - fixin’ hair, fixin’ supper, fixin’ to leave.

variations: fixing hair
★ "Fixin’ hair" shows how Southerners use "fix" to mean "prepare." Outsiders sometimes misinterpret it as "repairing" hair, but it simply means "getting ready." ★

Origin and Etymology

From the Scotch-Irish influenced Southern English use of "fix" to mean "prepare" or "get ready." In the hills this extended naturally to everyday tasks like cooking or grooming - hence "fixin’ hair."

Usage Notes

Still very common in Southern/Appalachian speech. This usage of "fixin’" has become a hallmark of regional identity, much like "y’all."

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "fixin’ my hair." Also "fixin’ to do my hair."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "fixing hair" mean repairing damaged hair?
No - it means brushing, styling, or otherwise preparing your hair.
Is it only Southern?
The "fix = prepare" sense is strongest in Southern/Appalachian speech, though people elsewhere understand it in context.
How does it relate to "fixin’ to leave"?
It’s the same sense of "fix" - preparing, not repairing.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Fixin’ Hair. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing-hair
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Fixin’ Hair." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing-hair.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Fixin’ Hair." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fixing-hair.
...
Slang and folklore change from place to place - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home