Fandom Discussion: How did Snape get his nickname?

[themostepotente]

In book number five, we learn that Severus has a very unflattering nickname -- this, of course, being Snivellus.

We've been left to wonder if this is simply nothing more than a bastardization of 'Severus,' or if 'Snivellus' has a much deeper meaning. 'Snivellus' would seem to indicate 'sniveling', yet when he unwillingly becomes the target of the Marauders' bullying in the 'Snape's Worst Memory' chapter, he seems only to lose his temper with a feeble attempt at getting even. Not even when he's hung upside down are we given any indication that he's moved to tears. Of course the Pensieve scene cuts out with James asking if anyone would like to see Snape pantsed, but what about before this incident?

Was Severus Snape prone to tears from repeated bullying -- or perhaps you have another explanation?

How do you think Severus earned his nickname?

--P

Comments

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You associate 'Snivellus' with greasy, eh?

I have this horrid picture in my mind of Snape wiping his running nose on the back of his robe sleeve. That's what I associate Snivellus with -- a running nose.

[chicksrus.livejournal.com]

I agree with the "putting his nose into places" because when I read Snivellus, I think of sniffling around, you know, trying to find out about stuff in a devious sort of way.
Maybe he was always hanging about, trying to overhear something, trailing behind in hopes of finding out about what someone was up to.
I never thought about Snivellus in terms of him crying, because even as a kid I don’t believe Snape cried.

[chicksrus.livejournal.com]

If JKR ever, ever hints at something like that... I will deny it forever and ever.

[chicksrus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you know people would have a field day with that in fiction. Oh, the horror! All of a sudden Snape's going to cry after sex. And all that BS.