1. "Bant" as a verb, meaning to tease or joke around playfully:
* Example: "We were just banting each other, it wasn't serious."
2. "Bant" as a noun, referring to playful teasing or banter:
* Example: "We had some good bant at the party last night."
3. "Bant" as a noun, referring to a specific type of online humor:
* This meaning is more recent and associated with online communities, especially gaming communities. It often involves playful teasing, inside jokes, and absurdist humor.
4. "Bant" as a noun, referring to a specific type of competitive strategy in Magic: The Gathering:
* This is a more niche meaning, referring to a specific strategy that involves controlling the board and slowing down the opponent's progress.
Origin and Evolution:
The word "bant" is likely derived from the word "banter," which itself has a long history of use. However, the specific slang use of "bant" became popular in the UK around the late 2000s and early 2010s. It has since spread to other English-speaking countries and has gained even more traction with the rise of online communities.
It's important to be aware of the context when encountering the word "bant" to understand its meaning accurately.