The phrase "wast sitting pretty" may seem strange to some, as it uses archaic language and spelling. In modern English, it would be written as "was sitting pretty." The reason for the archaic spelling is due to the pronunciation of the word "was" in Old English, which was pronounced as /wæs/. The past tense ending "-t" was also commonly used, hence the spelling "wast." When written with IPA phonetic transcription, the Old English pronunciation of "wast sitting pretty" would be /wɑːst ˈsɪtɪŋ ˈprɪti/.
"Sitting pretty" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where someone is in a favorable or advantageous position, typically due to their efforts, circumstances, or advantages they possess. The phrase is commonly used to indicate that an individual is comfortable, secure, or successful in their current circumstances.
When someone is said to be "wast sitting pretty," it implies that they were in such a propitious situation in the past, but this condition no longer holds or has changed dramatically. The term "wast" is an archaic form of the verb "to be" used in the past tense.
The phrase can be traced back to the early 20th century and is predominantly found in informal conversations or literature. It is often used to convey the idea that despite being fortunate or having a comfortable position once, circumstances have altered, resulting in a loss of that advantageous position. This change may be due to personal misjudgment, external factors, or unforeseen events.
Overall, the expression "wast sitting pretty" depicts a situation where an individual enjoyed a privileged or secure status in their previous circumstances, but that state has vanished or become more precarious. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between a previous state of comfort and the current challenges or difficulties faced by an individual.