The phrase "wast above board" is an archaic way of saying "you were honest and open." It is believed to have originated in the 16th century and is rarely used today. The spelling of "wast" is the archaic second person singular form of the verb "to be," which is now spelled "were." The pronunciation of "above board" is /əˌbʌv ˈbɔːrd/, with the stress on the first syllable of each word. The phrase is typically used to describe people's actions or behavior as being transparent and truthful.
"Wast above board" is an archaic phrase that combines two words with distinct meanings, "wast" and "above board," to convey a specific connotation. The term "wast" derives from early English and is the second-person singular form of the verb "to be" in the past tense. It signifies an action or a state that has already taken place. "Above board," on the other hand, is an idiom used to describe openness, transparency, or honesty in an activity or situation.
When these two concepts are combined, "wast above board" implies an action or state in the past that was conducted in an open, honest, and transparent manner. It suggests that the individuals involved in the activity were forthcoming and operated within the bounds of integrity and fairness. The phrase often denotes an assurance that there were no hidden or deceitful motives or actions associated with the particular event being referred to.
However, it's important to note that "wast above board" is considered archaic and is rarely used in contemporary language. It hails from a time when English grammar and vocabulary were different from today's standards. Consequently, this phrase is now mostly found in historical texts or literature produced in earlier eras.