I think "default" (Mercurial) is a way better name than anything else for the default branch, duh. But, I err on the side of the disadvantaged because it's impossible to fully empathize with their individual experience, so I try to use "main" whenever I can.
That said, I'm a Slav which is the origin of the word "slave" because in Europe, slaves were predominantly Slavs once. I don't really mind it because it feels irrelevant today. Connotations of "master" doesn't feel that ancient yet though, considering that black people weren't allowed to live in Palo Alto, CA (heart of Silicon Valley today) until 1950's.
Despite the remark about confusing people over 50, a primary branch called "master" isn't exactly an unalterable ancient tradition in version control, either. "Trunk" was common in centralized VCSes. I had to get used to "master" and "main" is at worst a lateral move.
That said, I'm a Slav which is the origin of the word "slave" because in Europe, slaves were predominantly Slavs once. I don't really mind it because it feels irrelevant today. Connotations of "master" doesn't feel that ancient yet though, considering that black people weren't allowed to live in Palo Alto, CA (heart of Silicon Valley today) until 1950's.