Nicknames

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 185562

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Carol" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:

Carol:
> I'm not so sure that an insulting alteration of a person's name is a
> nickname. Is "Potty wee Potter" a nickname? Peeves uses it more than once.
> 
> But as for "unlikely spur-of-the-moment choice," unlikely or not, it
> *is* a spur-of-the-moment invention. 

Geoff:
That, actually, is what I meant - that it was an "unlikely spur-of-the
-moment invention" - it was a name which they had used already.

Carol:
> Neither James nor Sirius knows Severus. The only reason they know  
>his first name is that Lily uses it. 

Geoff:
I think you're incorrect. I've never really studied this part before
because I have said previously that I have no interest in Snape; I 
have always disliked him and can't work up any enthusiasm.

However, I think the following is the relevant piece of canon:

'"This'll liven you up, Padfoot" said James quietly. "Look who it is..."

Sirius' head turned. He became very still, llke a dog that has scented 
a rabbit.

"Excellent" he said softly. "Snivellus"'

(OOTP "Snape's Worst Memory" p.569 UK edition)

I don't see Lily using Snape's name prior to this exchange.