Why are the Montreal Canadiens called the Habs?

[Rusterson]

Anyone know?

[iacas]

Anyone know?

Source: Wikipedia In English, the main nickname is the Habs (coming from "Les Habitants").

More there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Canadiens .

[Dent]

Ive always wondered that too, thanks Iacas.

[Rusterson]

Guess i could have done that...thanks Iacas.

[gogolfing]

The original French settlers in 'New France' were called "les habitants", thus the Habs.

On a side note, the logo is a C with an H inside of it, and many people think this H is for Habs. In fact the H is for hockey, as the entire name of the Habs was Club Canadiens du Hockey (pardon the French ).

Oldtimers (like my Grandpa who is almost 82) in Canada call them "the pea-soupers" because their is a canned pea soup called Habitant pea soup. Not a term of endearment.

I am pretty much out of the family will because I'm a Habs fan, but I grew up in the 70's (born in '69) during the glory days of Lafluer, Dryden, Shutt, Robinson..... Ah, for the good ol' days