The phrase "haddest a finger in" is an archaic way of saying "you were involved in." The spelling of "haddest" reflects the Middle English pronunciation of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /ˈhædəst/. The "-est" ending indicates the second person singular past tense form of the verb "have." In modern English, this would be "had," making the phrase "had a finger in." While this phrase may not be commonly used today, it is still sometimes heard in literature or historical contexts.
"Haddest a finger in" is an idiomatic English expression that is used to describe someone's involvement or contribution in a particular matter or situation. The phrase consists of three elements: "haddest," which is the second person singular past tense of the verb "have"; "a finger," which is a metaphorical representation of a person's involvement or influence; and "in," which denotes the specific context or area where the person had an impact.
The phrase suggests that the individual being referred to played a role, albeit not necessarily a primary one, in a certain event or activity. It implies a level of participation or intervention without explicitly specifying the extent or nature of that involvement. It conveys the idea that the person had some influence, input, or connection to the matter being discussed, suggesting a minimal but still notable presence or contribution.
The expression can be used in various contexts, such as conversations about decision-making, problem-solving, or any situation where individuals are involved in collaborations or discussions. For example, one might say, "Although he didn't lead the project, he haddest a finger in it, contributing his ideas and insights along the way."
Overall, "haddest a finger in" signifies a person's engagement or involvement, emphasizing that they were not a mere bystander but held some degree of responsibility or participation in a specific event or endeavor.