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

[amberdiceless.livejournal.com]

(Here via (http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=daily_snitch)daily_snitch (http://www.livejournal.com/community/daily_snitch/) or (http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=quickquote)quickquote (http://www.livejournal.com/community/quickquote/))

I tend to agree that he was either caught crying by the Marauders or made to cry by them, probably as a first-year, and/or he snitched on them to the staff at least once. Quite likely both, and he's probably decided since that it's preferable to express his anger in any way but tears. Thus, flying cockroaches and the occasional bout of capslock syndrome.

On a related tangent, I suspect another lesson he's learned (and that is repeatedly reinforced throughout the books) is that calling people on the rules is no use unless you personally have the power to enforce them. I wonder where that's going to lead him before the end...

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

On a related tangent, I suspect another lesson he's learned (and that is repeatedly reinforced throughout the books) is that calling people on the rules is no use unless you personally have the power to enforce them.

CoS comes to mind when Snape went on about 'flaunting the decree of underage wizardry.'