'cant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'cantare', where 'cant-' meant 'to sing'; the sense of 'insincere chant or sing-song speech' developed into 'insincere talk' and 'specialized jargon'.

'cant' changed from Middle English words like 'kante'/'cante' (meaning 'song' or 'singing') and through early modern English developed senses of 'insincere talk' and 'group jargon'. The sense meaning 'edge' or 'bevel' comes from Germanic sources (Old Norse/Old High German 'kant' meaning 'edge'), which influenced the architectural sense of 'cant'.

Initially, it meant 'song' or 'a singing/chanting', but over time it evolved into modern senses such as 'insincere or sanctimonious talk' and 'specialized jargon'; a separate Germanic root produced the 'edge/tilt' meaning now used for bevels and slopes.