資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Had \Had\, imp. & p. p. of {Have}. [OE. had, hafde, hefde, AS.
   h[ae]fde.]
   See {Have}.

   {Had as lief}, {Had rather}, {Had better}, {Had as soon},
      etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive
      without to, are well established idiomatic forms. The
      original construction was that of the dative with forms of
      be, followed by the infinitive. See {Had better}, under
      {Better}.

            And lever me is be pore and trewe. [And more
            agreeable to me it is to be poor and true.] --C.
                                                  Mundi (Trans.
                                                  ).

            Him had been lever to be syke. [To him it had been
            preferable to be sick.]               --Fabian.

            For him was lever have at his bed's head Twenty
            bookes, clad in black or red, . . . Than robes rich,
            or fithel, or gay sawtrie.            --Chaucer.

   Note: Gradually the nominative was substituted for the
         dative, and had for the forms of be. During the process
         of transition, the nominative with was or were, and the
         dative with had, are found.

               Poor lady, she were better love a dream. --Shak.

               You were best hang yourself.       --Beau. & Fl.

               Me rather had my heart might feel your love Than
               my unpleased eye see your courtesy. --Shak.

               I hadde levere than my scherte, That ye hadde rad
               his legende, as have I.            --Chaucer.

               I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such
               a thing as I myself.               --Shak.

               I had rather be a dog and bay the moon, Than such
               a Roman.                           --Shak.

               I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
               God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
                                                  --Ps.
                                                  lxxxiv.10.