Plural of cant; hypocritical or insincere talk, jargon used by particular groups, or a tilted position or angle.
From Middle English 'cant,' possibly from Latin 'cantare' (to sing/chant) in its sense of repetitive, monotonous speech, or from Dutch 'kant' (edge/corner). The multiple meanings developed as different groups used the word in different ways.
The word 'cant' is fascinating because it combines both cynical and honest meanings—it can mean fake talk OR the real jargon that makes you part of a community!
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