Here from the DS. I've always had these associations with the name:
-"Snivelling" is an adjective often associated with "coward." ("You snivelling coward") I think they probably saw him as a coward.
-Snivelling does not have to refer to snuffling from crying. It also means you are complaining and whining "tearfully." I suspect Snape, in their view, whined and complained. I actually doubt there were real tears involved (they might have liked him better if there were), but suggesting he was actually crying is a good insult.
-That it referred to Snape having a runny nose. Snape's been cursed with greasy hair, a big nose, sallow skin, grey underpants and an awkward, jerky posture. I can easily imagine him being a first year with allergies who never had a handkerchief and James and Sirius finding this repulsive. It just seems to fit that kind of kid, the one who's allergic to everything or who always seems to have a runny nose even when he doesn't.
So in general, while I see the connection between the name and Snape's crying, the real image it puts in my head is of someone who's repulsive and cowardly, not a crybaby.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-04-19 02:26 pm (UTC)-"Snivelling" is an adjective often associated with "coward." ("You snivelling coward") I think they probably saw him as a coward.
-Snivelling does not have to refer to snuffling from crying. It also means you are complaining and whining "tearfully." I suspect Snape, in their view, whined and complained. I actually doubt there were real tears involved (they might have liked him better if there were), but suggesting he was actually crying is a good insult.
-That it referred to Snape having a runny nose. Snape's been cursed with greasy hair, a big nose, sallow skin, grey underpants and an awkward, jerky posture. I can easily imagine him being a first year with allergies who never had a handkerchief and James and Sirius finding this repulsive. It just seems to fit that kind of kid, the one who's allergic to everything or who always seems to have a runny nose even when he doesn't.
So in general, while I see the connection between the name and Snape's crying, the real image it puts in my head is of someone who's repulsive and cowardly, not a crybaby.