Microsoft Store
 

Cant


 

The words "cant" and "canting" have several meanings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  • Cant is insincere speech, similar to hypocrisy. The difference between the two is sometimes explained thus: the hypocrite is entirely cynical and doesn't even believe the snake-oil he or she is expounding; while the speaker of cant does have conceptual faith in what he or she says—but won't actually be practicing what he or she is preaching.
  • Canting is a type of puzzle similar to a rebus. The term is used in heraldry where it refers to a coat of arms containing a pun on the name of the owner. See Canting arms.
  • Cant is term for a secret language, a cryptolect. The term especially refers to those used by criminals and their hangers-on.
  • Thieves' cant refers to the mysterious speech of rogues, beggars, thieves, etc. More information about this language can be found in the Canting Dictionary.
  • Shelta, used by the Irish Travellers.
  • Cant on a road or railway is the difference in elevation of the two sides of the track to help go around curves.
  • Cant is an edge, border, nook, or angle. This use of the word likely derives from Old French and is the basis for the term canton.
  • Cant is often used in instant messaging as a shorter form of the contraction can't.
  • CANT was an Italian aircraft company during World War II.
  • Canting may also refer to a tool used for making Batik. The word is pronounced chahn-ting in bahasa Indonesia.