'bant' originates from English, specifically as a clipped form of the word 'banter', where 'banter' meant 'to joke or jest'.

'bant' developed from colloquial shortening of 'banter' (18th–19th century English) and became used in modern British informal speech as a noun and verb.

Initially it was simply a clipped form referring to 'banter' (teasing); over time 'bant' has become an independent informal slang term meaning playful teasing or light-hearted conversation.