Why ole Snapey is(n't) a vamp (or old, either!)

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 88143

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at y...> wrote:
> Sorry to snip Kneasy's great post, almost all of which I agree with. I
> just have one complaint. Why call him "old Snape" when he's still in
> his thirties, the same age as Remus Lupin, whom JKR refers to at least
> twice as "young"? He may be "old" from the perspective of his
> students, but he certainly isn't from mine!
> 

In the UK 'old', as in ''good old whoever" has little or nothing to do
with chronological age, although the person referred to is invariably
an adult. It has a meaning closer to 'unchanging' or 'steadfast'.

It is usually a sign of approval (unless it is used ironically).

Kneasy