Speaking in a hypocritical, insincere, or sanctimonious way, especially about morality or religion.
From cant (to speak hypocritically or with affected piety), originally 15th-century slang for whining or wheedling speech, possibly from Hibernian Latin cantāre (to sing). The meaning evolved from 'begging speech' to 'insincere religious talk.'
Canting became the go-to insult for Victorian authors like Dickens to describe pious villains who exploited religion for personal gain. It's remarkably useful for describing modern corporate 'wellness culture' or politicians who tweet about values they ignore.
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