What's in Snape'sname?

[deborahhbbrd]

No: HPFGUIDX 148133

I've been skipping a lot of Snape postings lately. Not that I don't
enjoy him greatly as a character ... but there's been too much chewing
over too many old bones to hold my interest. Sorry, but there it is.

So, in the hopes of opening up a branch line, has there been any
discussion (if there was, I missed it) on the significance of Snape's
schoolboy nickname? Why, of all things, call the lad Snivellus? We've
seen nothing to indicate that he was prone to self-pity, showed his
sensitivity to criticism by crying, or even had sinusitis that the
best efforts of magical Healers couldn't cure.

Because the Marauders wouldn't attack a target that wasn't there.
They'd go for whichever bit of the jugular would give them the best
results.

Any suggestions?

All the best

Deborah