The phrase "wert all ears" is an old English expression that means someone is eagerly listening or paying close attention. The spelling may seem unusual, but it is a reflection of the archaic pronunciation of the word "were," which was commonly pronounced as "wurt." In IPA phonetic transcription, this would be written as /wərt/. The "a" in "all" is pronounced as a short "a" (/æ/), and "ears" is pronounced with a long "e" sound (/ɪrz/).
"Wert all ears" is an idiomatic expression that originated from Old English, where "wert" is an archaic second-person singular form of the verb "to be," and "ears" refers to the auditory organs of humans and animals. When someone says, "wert all ears," they mean to convey the idea of being completely attentive, focused, and eagerly listening to what another person has to say. It signifies a state of heightened interest and willingness to pay close attention, often in anticipation of important or interesting information.
The phrase suggests a vivid image of a person's ears becoming the center of attention, as if they are standing on end and fully engaged in the act of listening. By using this idiom, the speaker conveys their undivided attention and indicates their desire to hear and understand every word that is being spoken. It can imply that the listener is genuinely interested or intrigued by the topic of conversation, and is eager to gain knowledge, insight, or simply to be engaged in the exchange.
"Wert all ears" is often used in informal and casual conversations, and is a way to express the speaker's genuine curiosity and attentiveness. It conveys a sense of receptiveness and openness to information, and highlights the importance of active listening and genuine engagement in interpersonal communication.