The Riddle of He Who Must Not Be Named

[Mike Crudele]

No: HPFGUIDX 167171

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky wrote:
>
> Even Muggleborns seem to have the prejudice against 
saying "Voldemort". Yet, Dumbledore, Lupin, and Sirius seem to have 
no problem saying it. I suspect that, if Dumbledore had not 
specifically told him to use the name, Harry would have developed the 
same prejudice. Yet, the reason behind this has never been revealed 
in the canon, as far as I know (it might have been revealed in 
interviews). 

Mike:
Yes, Bart, it was in an interview. The Leaky/Mugglenet interview 
immediately after the release of HBP.

http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2005/0705-tlc_mugglenet-anelli-
2.htm

ES: What prompted people to start referring to Voldemort as You-Know-
Who and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?

JKR: <snip>
On a more prosaic note, in the 1950s in London there were a pair of 
gangsters called the Kray Twins. The story goes that people didn't 
speak the name Kray. You just didn't mention it. You didn't talk 
about them, because retribution was so brutal and bloody. I think 
this is an impressive demonstration of strength, that you can 
convince someone not to use your name. Impressive in the sense that 
demonstrates how deep the level of fear is that you can inspire. It's 
not something to be admired.

Mike:
As to why Sirius and Lupin (and probably James and Lily) had no 
problem using the name, I agree with Quick_Silver. A little bit of 
arrogance added to a degree of intractability with a dash of 
recklessness, all folded on top of a foundation of independence makes 
them immortal in the teenage sense of looking at things. I see both 
James and Sirius insisting on using the name "Voldemort" and after a 
fashion, Lupin, who couldn't remain friends with them without 
suffering immense ridicule or adopting their convention. I doubt that 
Peter was ever strong enough to use the name. He was probably 
ridiculed for it, but they wouldn't have ridden him as hard because 
they had an open disregard for his abilities and fortitude.

Mike