Quote:
Originally Posted by Armchair Quarterback
It's true that it refers to the original French settlers of Quebec but today it is considered an insult because the "habitant" way of life was associated with cultural and econommic backwardness for a long time (see for example Fernand Ouellet's Economic and Social History of Quebec). If you don't believe me, go to Quebec and call someone there an habitant. You're sure to get a good smack in the face.
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I play hockey with a bunch of transplanted Quebecers. Most of them wear Habs colours and they all refer to the Canadiens as the Habs. Nothing has ever happened to indicate to me that habitants might be an insult. Not that I doubt you. It's just never come up and it never occurred to me.