What does the Iroquois mean and why was it an insult?

The term "Iroquois" originally referred to a confederation of Native American tribes in the northeastern United States and Canada, known for their political sophistication and military prowess. The Word itself may derive from a French term meaning "real snakes," which was used by French colonizers to describe the tribes. As such, calling someone "Iroquois" could carry derogatory connotations, implying treachery or cunningness, reflecting the negative stereotypes held by European settlers towards Indigenous peoples. Over time, the term has been reclaimed and is now used respectfully to refer to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and its members.