The spelling of the phrase "hadst a hunch" is interesting because it includes the archaic form of the verb "have." The word "hadst" uses the second-person singular form of the past tense for "have." In IPA, the pronunciation would be /hædst ə hʌntʃ/. This means that the "a" in "hunch" is pronounced like the schwa sound. Additionally, the "h" in both words is pronounced at the beginning, but the "h" in "hunch" is not pronounced in some dialects.
"Hadst a hunch" is an archaic phrase derived from Early Modern English, which was used during the Shakespearean era. It combines the second-person singular pronoun "hadst" (a contraction of "thou" and "hast") with the noun "hunch." "Hunch" refers to a feeling, instinct, or intuition about something, often with little or no evidence to support it.
When someone says they "hadst a hunch," it implies that they possessed or experienced a strong intuition or premonition about a certain situation or event. The phrase suggests that the person had an inner sense or gut feeling that strongly indicated a particular outcome or course of action, even though they may not have been able to explain it rationally.
The phrase "hadst a hunch" indicates that the individual had a firm conviction or belief in their intuitive insight. It implies a level of certainty or a willingness to trust one's instincts. The use of "hadst" adds a sense of immediacy or past tense to the phrase, emphasizing that the person had this hunch in the past.
Overall, "hadst a hunch" denotes an old-fashioned expression for having a strong intuitive feeling or suspicion about something, originating from an era when Early Modern English was commonly spoken. While this phrase may not be widely used in present-day English, it reflects the rich linguistic heritage and historical context of an earlier period.