should on

English

Etymology

Attributed to Albert Ellis (1913–2007), American psychologist and psychotherapist. Perhaps supposed to evoke shit on.

Verb

should on

1. (informal) To impose judgment on (oneself or others) by telling them what they should do.
   • 2009, Ecallaw Leachim, Ratology: Way of the Undamned, page 100:

     Shoulding on yourself keeps you imprisoned in other people's beliefs and it makes you a puppet on a string […]

   • 2014, Jan Johnson, Invitation to the Jesus Life: Experiments in Christlikeness

     As we join Jesus in death to self, we stop "shoulding" on people and telling them what to do: You should read this book; you should go to this conference.