The spelling of "wast cahoots" can be a bit confusing, but it actually comes from an archaic English phrase "was in cahoots." The pronunciation is /wɑst kəˈhuːts/, with the emphasis on the second syllable of "cahoots." The word "cahoots" means to be in collusion or partnership with someone, often in a fraudulent or deceptive way. So, "wast cahoots" means you were collaborating with someone in the past, but it has since dissolved. It's an uncommon phrase nowadays, but an interesting piece of older English vocabulary!