rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycantGroup jargon
noun / verb

cant

The specialized language of a particular group or trade.

The outsiders struggle to understand the sailors' cant.

Etymology
cantLatinto sing

Latin cantare means “to sing.” Cant was used for a whining or sing-song manner of speaking, then for the characteristic speech of particular groups, including the specialized language of beggars and thieves.

More examples

  • He learned the cant of the trade.
  • The characters canted in a private jargon.
  • Their cant excluded newcomers.

Forms

cant · cants · canted · canting

Similar words

jargon
Specialized language that need not be secret or disreputable.
argot
Often names the speech of a particular social group.