## Etymology
Probably from Latin cantāre ('to sing'), via the notion of the singsong whine of beggars, hence the jargon of beggars and thieves and, by extension, insincere pious talk.

## AI Etymology
Cant is a noun and verb meaning "hypocritical or insincere talk; the jargon of a particular group". Historically, it is probably from Latin cantāre ('to sing'), via the notion of the singsong whine of beggars, hence the jargon of beggars and thieves and, by extension, insincere pious talk. The older history should therefore be treated cautiously rather than as settled. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "hypocritical or insincere talk; the jargon of a particular group", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain links Latin cantāre with Latin canere.

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- Communication

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