Pronunciation: [wɒst kˈɑːdz] (IPA) 
The spelling of "wast cards" may seem a bit odd to some, but it actually follows the rules of English spelling. The "wast" is spelled with an "a" instead of an "e" due to the historical development of the word. The IPA transcription for "wast" is /wɑːst/. "Cards" is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k" because it comes from the Old French word "carde" which was spelled with a "c". The IPA transcription for "cards" is /kɑːdz/.
The term "wast cards" is derived from the combination of two words: "wast" and "cards".
- Wast: The word "wast" is an archaic form of the word "waste". In this context, "wast" refers to the action of discarding or disposing of playing cards during a game, typically in the card game of Whist. It was a common practice to remove certain cards from the deck before the game began, and those cards would be placed face down and referred to as "wast" or "waste" cards. The term originated in the 18th century in Britain.
- Cards: The term "cards" refers to the playing cards used in various games. The word can be traced back to the Middle English word "cardes" and the Latin word "charta", both of which meant "playing cards".
