Wormtail and Wormtongue and Wormwood

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 11815

Marvin wrote:

>And of course, the name "Wormtail" could easily allude simply
> to the somewhat unappetizing look of a rat's hairless tail.  But I'm
> determined to find a literary reference, doggone it!  :-)

I definitely think it goes beyond mere descriptiveness.  Padfoot is 
descriptive; Prongs is descriptive; Wormtail is descriptive and 
derogatory--as you say, it's unappetizing.

Whether JKR was deliberately (or even unconsciously) alluding to 
Wormtongue and Wormwood or not, Wormtail has an unpleasant sound to 
it, IMO. 

Amy Z

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Asleep was the way Harry liked the Dursleys best.
                    --HP and the Goblet of Fire
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