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

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 113735

  
> Valky:
> Just to answer this, You might notice that the English meaning of 
> snivelling does not require that the sniveller be crying. Just to 
> be "weak and unpleasant" which are soft ways of saying that the 
> person is percieved to lack virtue. 

Potioncat:
I understand that.  In my first example below, I did not mean to 
imply that Severus had to actually be in tears.  In America 
sniveling, as an insult, has a whining, complaining, running to the 
teacher/boss implication. But it doesn't really apply to virtues in 
general. If you are telling me it does in Britain, then I'll accept 
that. I am starting to think that you and I are saying the same 
thing in different words. Your phrase "to lack virtue" does confuse 
me a bit.  I certainly would not call someone sniveling if I liked 
the person, but a sniveling person might still be a virtuous person 
in other respects. 

Please don't take this as sarcasm, but I see you live in Australia.  
Did you grow up in England?  Because, although Australia and England 
are more closely related than America and England, I'm sure there 
are subtle differences between England's English and Australia's 
English.  I'll bet there are subtle differences between London's 
English and York's English.
 
> Potioncat:
> > 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.)
> > 
> 
> Valky:
> That is possible, actually. It's called tattle tales and is 
frowned upon in British culture.

Potioncat:
As it is in American culture.

Now, to add to the mix, I looked in an older dictionary and found 
another meaning of snivel that jumped out at me, given the Pensieve 
scene.

snivel: verb 3. To run at the nose.  4.To utter with with sniveling 
or sniffing.  noun 2. Nasal mucus.

OoP chapter 28
"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" said James.
"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," said 
Sirius viciously.  "There'll be great grease marks all over it, they 
won't be able to read a word."

 and a bit later:

"Wait for what?" said Sirius coolly. "What are you going to do, 
Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?"

So, did Snivellus come from Severus in tears, Severus tattling or 
Severus suffering allergies? 

And is it just me, or does Sirius sound a lot like Draco?