Origins of Padfoot

[marinafrants]

No: HPFGUIDX 40920

I've been looking through a really interesting book called The 
Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore, and I came across a fairly 
lengthy entry on Black Dogs.  Here are some relevant quotes:

"The many phantom dogs of local legend are almost invariably large 
black shaggy ones with glowing eyes; those which appear only in this 
form are simply called "the Black Dog," whereas those that change 
shape often have some regional name such as bargest, padfoot or 
Shuck."

Now I'm imagining the Marauders sitting around inventing nicknames 
for each other, and Sirius threatening to hex anyone who calls him 
Shuck. :-)

"In some districts... it is said that they are harmless, or even 
friendly, if they are not disturbed, though in others it is an omen 
of death to meet one."

That presumably explains where JKR was coming from with the Grim 
(not to mention Arthur Conan Doyle with the Hound of the 
Baskervilles.)

The dictionary also connects the term "padfoot" with Yorkshire, 
particularly the area around Leeds.  That made me wonder if any of 
the Marauders came from there, but I'm not sure if that works.  
Doesn't Yorkshire have a really distinctive accent?  Enough that 
Harry would notice it when he heard Sirius, Remus or Peter speak?

Marina
rusalka at ix.netcom.com