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

[vain-chan.livejournal.com]

>_> I always thought of it as a reference to First Year homesickness. *wrinkles her nose in thought*

In my little universe, Severus did not want to go to Hogwarts too much because (a) it would require leaving his mother alone with his father, (b) his education was restricted by his inability to actively learn Dark Magic and potions, which I think he would have bridled against, (c) he had no friends, and any that he made would have quickly left him one the bullying started, (d) Hogwarts was far too regimented for his tastes, (e) it's almost impossible to be alone there, and (f) I think he probably admired Albus a great deal when he arrived, but was quickly and harshly disillusioned when the Headmaster's apparent favoritism came to light. While he probably didn't like his home, he most likely liked Hogwarts even less by the time he got settled there. At least at home, he could run and hide, or lose himself in a book.

Under such circumstances, I can easily see a young, disenfranchised, isolated Severus being a sniveling mess for his first year. As time when on (a very unpleasant first summer back at the Snape residence probably helped, too), he gradually shut down, becoming angrier and more and more bitter as time passed and he buried himself in work and research. When Voldemort came 'round, Severus no doubt had visions of revenge, power, and unrestricted research dancing in his head and leapt before he looked, leading to a lifetime of regret.

If you look in canon, Severus is (arguably) extremely immature, childish, tantrum-prone, and has an almost non-existent ability to properly deal with any emotions beyond sublimating them all into aggression and lashing out at those who either will not harm him, or cannot harm him. Just because he doesn't cry now doesn't mean that he never did before. In fact, I think that the violent and unpleasant response with which any tears or happiness he displayed was met is the reason why he's so emotionally crippled.

...But I have a rather detailed and elaborate idea of what I think his pre-Harry Potter life was like, so I'm biased against seeing other POVs. =^^=

[annephoenix.livejournal.com]

I realy like the concept of your Snape. Agree that canon really does set up this kind of scenario, what with that brief glimpse of his home life in the Pensieve.

I'm also thinking that his only 'friends' at Hogwarts would have been the Lucius gang (2 years older I think). Perhaps vaguely protecting him, or any in case, showing him a way to escape from the bullying; i.e. joining the DE. There were too many references of Lucius in relation to Snape in OotP for it too by innocent. :)

[stardustmajick.livejournal.com]

According the the HP Lexicon's timeline, Lucius was in his 7th year when the Mauraders and Snape started Hogwarts as first years. (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/timelines/main/timeline_1970-1990.html). I always figured he was older than that, though, before I found the timeline. ^^;

[annephoenix.livejournal.com]

Oh bummer... There goes that theory. My fault for misinformed... But a girl can dream!

[iczer6.livejournal.com]

Actually I doubt he would've meet Lucius while in Hogwarts, I believe Rowling listed their ages and Lucius was in forties while snape was still in his thirties so he would've either left school or been in his last years when Snape showed up.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

About six years separate the two. Lucius may have befriended Severus his first year, but after that Snape was on his own.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

The lapdog reference in particular. Unfortunately, Lucius is about six years older than Severus.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

What you say makes a lot of sense. I can see where you'd be biased, however...

Going to play Devil's Advocate here a moment. The being homesick? I've always envisioned Snape's homelife as utterly miserable, unless of course he was choosing the lesser of two evils -- one abusive father in exchange for four abusive peers.