[HPforGrownups] "Lapdog" and "snivel" (Was: James and Snape)

[Metylda]

No: HPFGUIDX 114146

> 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!
> 
> Carol again:
> I've never heard any American use "snivelling" in
> any sense. We might
> use "sniffling" to mean that a kid needs to blow his
> nose but, well,
> there's no way to say what he's doing instead
> without being
> disgusting. And we might use it to mean
> "whimpering," which is more or
> less the same as your "snivelling."

bamf here:

You've never heard the term "snivelling coward"? It
might be more or a regional thing, but it's definitely
used in the American language.  It very much in used
in a negative way, and how I've always heard it used
in the American language is very much in line with the
British one.  

=====
"Why, you speak treason!" -Maid Marian
"Fluently!" -Robin Hood
-The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Cub fans are not normal.


		
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