The spelling of the phrase "haddest a yen for" might seem confusing to English learners, as it combines archaic words and a loanword from Japanese. "Haddest" is a past tense form of "have" used in older forms of English. "Yen" comes from the Japanese currency and means a strong desire or craving. IPA phonetic transcription shows that "haddest" is pronounced /ˈhædɪst/, while "yen" is pronounced /jɛn/. So, "haddest a yen for" means "had a strong desire for" in a more formal or poetic style.
"Haddest a yen for" is an idiomatic expression used to convey a strong, intense desire or craving for something. The phrase combines archaic language with a contemporary phrase to create a unique blend of old and modern colloquialism.
The term "haddest" is an archaic verb form of "to have," indicating possession or ownership in the past tense. It suggests that the desire being described has already been experienced or possessed by the subject. "Yen" refers to a strong longing or yearning for someone or something.
Together, "haddest a yen for" conveys a deep and enduring appetite or passion for a specific object, experience, or outcome. It suggests an intense desire that has been present in the past and may still persist in the present.
The phrase often implies a strong urge or inclination that is difficult to resist or control. It can refer to a range of desires, such as a craving for food, a yearning for a particular person, a strong desire for success or achievement, or an intense longing for a specific experience.
Overall, "haddest a yen for" encapsulates a forceful and persistent yearning or craving, highlighting the strength and depth of desire.