Fixing It

Here are a few dictionary definitions to get us started (from the web).

Definition of FIX

transitive verb

1

a : to make firm, stable, or stationary

b : to give a permanent or final form to: as (1) : to change into a stable compound or available form fix

nitrogen> (2) : to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study (3) : to make the image of (a photographic film) permanent by removing unused salts

c : affix, attach

2

a : to hold or direct steadily <fixes his eyes on the horizon>

b : to capture the attention of <fixed her with a stare>

3

a : to set or place definitely : establish

b : to make an accurate determination of : discover <fixingour location on the chart>

c : assign <fix the blame>

4

: to set in order : adjust

5

: to get ready : prepare <fix lunch>

6

a : repair, mend <fix the clock>

b : restore, cure fix

ed him up>

The recent meanings, however, if you have got a fix on them, have much to do with shady dealings. Whether it is the Hansie-Cronje-led fixing of matches in the 'gentlemen's game' a decade ago, or similar things happening now, the word 'fix' has become known for its underhand meaning. 

Maybe we could instead define things that are fixed/fixable/that have been fixed/that have potential to be fixed, like

LIBOR- that which gets 'fixed' by Barclays, UBS, and RBS.

Real-estate based Derivatives- those are fixed by Wall Street traders, the best of the best.

Olympic Associations- these remain unfixed because you need to know how they work in order to fix them.

For a fix in high places, you can say words like "Insider Trading", or "IMF Chief", or "Prime Minister of a country north of the Mediterranean". Ahem!