The word "didst" is an archaic form of the past tense of "do," which was commonly used in Shakespearean times. Its spelling may seem unusual, but it follows the pronunciation of that era. In IPA phonetic transcription, "didst" would be pronounced as /dɪdst/. The "d" represents a dental sound pronounced with the tip of the tongue against the upper teeth. The "ɪ" sound is a short "i" sound, and the final "st" represents a voiceless alveolar stop or a sharp "t" sound. So, spell it right, lest you be caught writing "didst on the sly"!
"Didst on the sly" is an archaic phrase that consists of two components: "didst" and "on the sly." "Didst" is the second person singular past tense form of the verb "do" in Early Modern English, typically used in the context of addressing someone. It is derived from Old English and was commonly used during the Elizabethan era. This form of address indicates an action or occurrence that has already taken place in the past.
The second part of the phrase, "on the sly," means to do something secretly or discreetly, often with a sense of cunning or deceit. It implies carrying out an action in a way that is hidden or concealed from others, typically due to forbidden or illicit nature.
Combining these elements, "didst on the sly" can be understood as an expression that describes an act or behavior performed by someone in a secretive or sneaky manner in the past. It suggests that the action was intentionally concealed from others, possibly due to its questionable or forbidden nature.
Overall, "didst on the sly" portrays a historical linguistic construction that conveys an action carried out in a concealed, furtive, or cunning way, emphasizing its clandestine and secretive aspects.