James and Snape. Was. Re: Snape and Harry again.

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 113722

Valky wrote: 
> and while I am at it I think its about time I let you all in on 
the  British meaning of snivel. Since so many american versions have 
been  quoted to contradict me when I argue that the derogatory term 
of snivel in the language I, *and JKR* was raised into, *British 
> English*, is used to deride someone on their weakness and not 
> necessarily sensitivity. 
> Cambridge advanced Learners Dictionary:
> snivel   
> verb [I] -ll- or US USUALLY -l- 
> to cry slightly in a way that is weak and does not make other 
people  feel sympathy for you:
> He's sitting in his bedroom snivelling because he was told off for 
> not doing his homework.
> 
> snivelling, US USUALLY sniveling   
> adjective OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL
> used to describe someone whom you do not like because they are 
weak  and unpleasant:
> That snivelling creep/coward!
> 
> 
> There you all have it. The British terms paint an entirely 
different 
> portrait of James, Sirius and Snape and I have secreted the 
> privilege of having a cockney grandmother and english, english 
> teacher for a mother to myself for long enough.


Potioncat:
I've snipped a little and come back to this post because it's the 
easiest to answer.

As to lapdog, it seems the Brits  have a more harsh meaning of it 
than Americans.  Too bad no one pointed it out sooner.  I've seen it 
used in a similar way, but not to this extent.  However, if lapdog 
here means brown-noser, then it is telling us that Snape's role 
includes pretending to work for Malfoy. (Are any of us surprised?) 
Black is taunting him for it, but Snape doesn't bite. So if you are 
correct Valky, and I think you have a good case, then "lapdog" has 
nothing to do with 15 year old Snape. (And I just realised I snipped 
the part about lapdog in Valky's post.) 

As to snivel.  It has the same deffinition in American English, so 
I'm not sure of your point.  
Webster's New World Basic Dictionary
snivel: 1)to cry and sniffle/2) to cry or complain in a whining way. 
(Stop sniviling and get to work.)

The act of crying does not prove a moral weakness.  I normally think 
of sniveling as something a young child would do. And I understand 
its meaning as an adjective. 

Now how did Severus become Snivelus?  Did 11 year old oddball 
Severus get hit with a hex and cry/complain to McGonagall about it?  
The Marauders were given detention and as a result jeered at Severus 
for sniveling to the teachers. (We're told he followed them around 
trying to get them in trouble.)

Did young Severus complain/cry to McGonagall about something only to 
be told, "Stop sniveling, Snape and get back to your books!" and the 
Marauders expanded on it?

Or did they come upon him, crying for some reason and decide to 
tease him about it? 

Sirius Black calling Snape "Snivelus" no more proves a moral 
weakness in Snape, than Snape's calling Black a coward disproves 
Black's courage. 

Potioncat who will always remember the look on my British cousin's 
face when she asked if we had sponge and was given a cleaning tool 
instead of cake.