Severus Snape's name

[flying_meese]

No: HPFGUIDX 72784

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "balbu84" <balbu84 at y...> wrote:
> In the OoP, Harry can see Snape's thoughts in the Pensieve. Yet 
Snape 
> is never called severus but always Snivellus or Snivelly. I am not 
> good enough in english to understand fully what that means. Is 
> Snivellus just a surnam or is that Snape's real first name. And 
you 
> have you got ideas and possible explanations about this name ??

I'm pretty sure it's not his name in any way but a derogatory 
nickname. The following is a definition of snivel.

Pronunciation: 'sni-v&l
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -eled or -elled; -el·ing or sniv·el·ling  /'sni-
v&-li[ng], 'sniv-li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from (assumed) Old English snyflan; akin 
to Dutch snuffelen to snuffle, snuffen to sniff
Date: 14th century
1 : to run at the nose
2 : to snuff mucus up the nose audibly : SNUFFLE
3 : to cry or whine with snuffling
4 : to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly 
emotional manner

FM