New Member and question

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 160642

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Eddie" <harryp at ...> wrote:
>
> > Stacey: What about the fact that, although not a werewolf
> > until bitten as a child, Remus Lupin's name (which I would imagine
> was his
> > birth name) foretold of his unfortunate condition?  Frankly, there
> was no
> > AHA! for me as it was a dead giveaway as soon as his full name was first
> > spoken.  Prophetic parents?  Name change upon attack?  Thanks!
> 
> Eddie:
> Prophetic author?  :-D
> 
> Actually, lots of the names are puns: Professor Vector (a math term)
> teach arithmancy, Professor Sprout (a vegetable) teaches herbology,
> Peeves makes people peevish, etc.
> 
> Too bad Lupin's name ruined the surprise, though.  I think that pun
> was a little too integral to the plot.  The "Sectumsempra" hex is also
> guessable if you know enough Latin, but it's a long time between when
> it is introduced and when it is used with suprising (to Harry) results.

Geoff:
I didn't guess about Lupin. Why not? Because "lupin" is a flower. The 
English word I associate with wolf-like qualities is "lupine". The Latin 
word for wolf is "lupus" which i wouldn't immediately link to "Lupin" 
because I never discoursed at length about wolves in my Latin lessons. 
:-)

As I have often remarked in the past JKR has a whole raft of punning 
names. Examples are Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, Umbridge, 
Grimmauld, Durmstrang, Hogwarts and fascinating new meaning for 
Apparition and Disillusion.