Might Should

In Southern and Appalachian speech, might should means probably ought to or it would be wise to. It softens a suggestion, expressing polite or hesitant obligation.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: ought to, should probably, better, had better

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I absolutely use 'might should' - it's a common one around here.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I absolutely use 'might should' - it's a common one around here.

Pronunciation

[MAHT SHUD]
/maɪt ʃʊd/

Meaning & Usage

- Polite or hesitant suggestion (modal phrase)

Pearl:

Thinkin’ of leavin’ the car there overnight?

Hank:

I might should move it - rain’s comin’.

- Softened moral or social obligation (modal phrase)

Aunt Della:

You might should’ve gone to church, seein’ how you promised.

variations: mighta should, might oughta

★ Southern English sometimes stacks modals like "might," "could," and "should" for nuance. "Might should" adds courtesy - it’s advice wrapped in gentleness. ★

Origin and Etymology

The construction comes from older Scots-Irish and Middle English modal stacking brought by settlers to the American South. Double modals like "might should," "might could," and "used to could" survived in Southern and Appalachian dialects long after fading from other varieties of English.

Usage Notes

"Might should" is common across the South, from Texas to the Carolinas, and in mountain speech. It conveys soft advice - never pushy, often kindly. In writing, it’s marked as dialect, but in speech it’s perfectly natural for native Southerners. Context decides tone: humorous, gentle, or mildly critical.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "might should" grammatically correct?

In standard English, it’s nonstandard - but in Southern and Appalachian English, it’s a legitimate and meaningful construction.

How is it different from "should"?

"Should" is direct. "Might should" adds politeness or doubt - like saying "You probably should."

Is it still used today?

Yes. It’s alive and well in spoken Southern English and recognized as part of regional identity.

Are there other double modals?

Yes - "might could," "used to could," "should oughta," and "may can" are all regional relatives.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 6). Might Should. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/might-should
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Might Should." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/might-should.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Might Should." HillbillySlang.com. November 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/might-should.

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