[HPforGrownups] James and Snape. Was. Re: Snape and Harry again.

[feklar]

No: HPFGUIDX 113812

> Alla:
>
> Term "Snivelius" is undoubtedly a derogatory one, but do we KNOW
> what kind of weakness it berates?

feklar

I guess I should have added to my last post, "snivel" is also a subjective
term.  To an unsympathetic person, a kid might be snivelling, to the
sympathetic, they might simply be crying or weepy.

My interpretation of "Snivellius" is that it was simply a clever way of
calling Snape a "cry-baby."  I don't think it necessarily indicates Snape
actually cried a lot, i think, like many childhood insults, the name stuck
with him because someone (presumably James and Sirius) made sure to use it
as often as possible, even if he was just caught crying once or in situation
other kids might have cried in as well (like being a lonely first-year).
Current reality doesn't matter much if you have a clever insult at the
ready.

Feklar