[HPforGrownups] Severus Snape's name

[Danger Mouse]

No: HPFGUIDX 72833

  Balbu84:
  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 ??

  Me:
  It's based on "snivel," which would make this name a teasing one James might have made up to make fun of Severus (calling him a coward, or a wimp, or a complainer). The -us ending just makes it sound similar to his name.

  -Dan

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