The phrase "wert gainfully employed" is an archaic version of the modern day "were gainfully employed." The main difference in spelling is the use of "wert" instead of "were." In IPA transcription, "wert" is pronounced /wɜrt/ while "were" is pronounced /wɜr/. This difference in spelling is due to historical changes in the English language, with "wert" being a past tense form that fell out of use over time. Despite its outdated spelling, the phrase remains a relevant reminder of the importance of meaningful employment.
"Wert gainfully employed" is a phrase commonly used in historical texts or literature, especially those written in Old English or Shakespearean English. It combines archaic language with an unusual word order, making it somewhat difficult to interpret at first glance. However, breaking it down, "wert" is the second-person singular past form of the verb "be" (specifically for the pronoun 'thou'), while "gainfully employed" is a phrase referring to working or being employed in a beneficial and profitable manner.
Therefore, "wert gainfully employed" can be understood as an old-fashioned way of saying "you were working diligently and profitably." It suggests that the person being referred to was engaged in productive labor or occupation, potentially generating income or other benefits for themselves or others. The use of "wert" implies that this action occurred in the past, addressing an individual directly in a respectful or formal manner.
This phrase serves as a linguistic example of how language has evolved over time. In modern English, we more commonly say "you were gainfully employed" to describe someone's past work. Understanding such archaic phrases is crucial for comprehending historical literature or engaging with older texts, but it is not frequently used in contemporary speech or writing.