The spelling of the word "wert indecorous" may seem perplexing at first glance, but it becomes clearer when broken down with phonetic transcription. "Wert" is the archaic subjunctive form of "were" and is pronounced /wərt/. "Indecorous" is pronounced /ɪnˈdɛkərəs/ and means lacking in propriety or good taste. Together, the phrase means "if you were lacking in propriety," and is a common phrase in formal language. While it may seem intimidating, understanding the phonetic transcription can help make the spelling more accessible.