Names wordplay and flowers

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 160794

LG wrote:
> This one might be old news, but I just realized it. For the spell
> Expecto Patronum--James' animagus figure was a stag, so when Harry
> thinks happy thoughts while needing a protector against dementors,
> he "expects (expecto) his father (patronum)." I'm not sure he
> realizes it's his father's help/force, but it seems so to me. Agree?
> 
Lynda wrote:
> 
> Not only do I agree, but through the years, I've been surprised that
people haven't seemed to pick up on this idea more. I haven't even
seen any discussion threads on it. <snip>

Carol responds:
Actually, we've had discussions on the etymology of almost every term
or name in the Potterverse. (The search engine does work. Just try
"etymology" and "Patronus" [no quotes] as search terms and see what
you find.)

"Expecto Patronum" does *not* mean "I expect my father." That would be
"Exspecto meum patrem," if memory serves. (Father is "pater," not
"patronus," and the verb meaning "expect" has an unexspected, erm,
unexpected "s.") 

"Patronus" actually means "protector, defender, patron; esp. an
advocate in a court of law."

http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/lookup.pl?stem=patronus&ending=

On her website, JKR refers to a Patronus as a person's spirit
guardian, rather like a guardian angel or a patron saint, as I
understand it, or maybe a benevolent version of a familiar spirit.

That Harry's Patronus is his father's animagus form simply means that,
at that point in his life, his protector is his father or the
essence/spirit of his father, just as Dumbledore's protector is a
Phoenix (and Hermione's is an otter).

As I said elsewhere, etymology is helpful in understanding the HP
books, as is a rudimentary understanding of Latin (on the level of
JKR's and mine).

Carol, wondering as always what Snape's Patronus is and expecting it
to relate to Dumbledore

Carol, who is grateful that JKR chose Latin rather than French or
German as the basis for her coined words and spells