the canting crew

The phrase "the canting crew" refers to a group of people who use or employ cant, which is a form of language characterized by obscure or specialized terms, slang, or jargon. This phrase is often used in a derogatory manner to describe individuals who communicate in deceptive or insincere ways, often with the intention to deceive or manipulate others. It can also be used to describe a group of criminals or swindlers who use cant to communicate secretly among themselves.