The correct spelling for "was cards" is actually "wash cards." The /ʃ/ sound in English is spelled with "sh". The spelling "was cards" may have been misheard due to the similar sound of /ʃ/ and /s/. It's important to pay attention to the sounds in words when spelling them correctly. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can be helpful in understanding how to spell words based on their sounds.
"Was cards" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used in informal spoken English. However, it does not have a specific dictionary definition, as it is not a widely recognized term or phrase.
In general, "was cards" can be interpreted as a phrase used to refer to a hypothetical or previously intended situation that did not come to fruition or did not play out as expected. It is often used to express a sense of disappointment or frustration when things do not go as planned.
The phrase is thought to have originated from card games, where players may anticipate a certain outcome or hold a strong hand but ultimately lose the game due to unfavorable circumstances. The use of the past tense verb "was" implies that the anticipated situation did not take place, and instead, an undesirable or unexpected outcome occurred.
For example, if someone says, "I had plans to go on a picnic today, but then it started raining. So, picnic was cards," they mean that their initial plans of going on a picnic were disrupted by the rain, indicating a change of course or disappointment.
While "was cards" is not a widely recognized phrase, it may be understood in context by native English speakers familiar with informal expressions.