#dead name

[coolnessgraphed]

[maxdibert]

The nickname “Snivellus” derives from the word “snivel,” which means crybaby. So, Snivellus was basically a way of mocking the fact that Severus might show his emotions—that instead of toughing it out like a stereotypical, macho, strong, hairy-chested man, he cried. I don’t think I need to explain why this nickname is problematic—any nickname used to bully someone is problematic—but a nickname that also references a supposed weakness, stemming from the expectations of a patriarchal society for men to display “unmanly” behavior typical of “weak” men, is not just problematic due to the bullying itself but also because of the misogynistic implications it carries. Because yes, misogyny and hegemonic gender roles also affect men by demanding certain traits from them to validate them socially. And I know the Marauders lived in the 1970s, and that Rowling is one of the worst when it comes to gender issues. But I find it quite ironic how Marauders Stans or Slytherin Skittles, who have built their trash fandom and constant Snape-bashing around the topic of LGBTQ+ themes, have the audacity to mock Snape using a nickname that directly attacks gender nonconformity and justifies a toxic, traditional masculinity that shames men who cry or show emotions, labeling them as less valid.

The Marauders weren’t social justice warriors, and James and Sirius, in particular, embodied the classic values of male success through the performance of stereotypical “macho” characteristics: as leaders, as “alphas” of the pack. Both are violent; both are cocky men who try to stand out and mark their territory. Both exhibit behaviors that have typically been excused in men just because they are men, such as abusive and reckless behavior. Their nickname for Severus stems from the idea that showing emotions—especially crying—if you are a man, is a reason for ridicule and mockery because men don’t cry. Men are supposed to be strong, puff out their chests, and keep going because that’s what men do. It’s a misogynistic and archaic mindset that continues to be perpetuated in social models and relationships to this day. And I find it incredibly hypocritical that certain people who claim to hate J.K. Rowling for being a transphobe then go on to appropriate the horribly sexist nicknames she created for a group of heterosexual men embodying toxic masculinity to bully another man for not performing the traditional masculine model expected of someone like him.

Because Severus wasn’t a “macho”. Severus was a studious introvert with a more passive character who didn’t fit into the masculine vision of the time. Everything about him, including his appearance, demeanor, and interests, is unmasculine from a hegemonic perspective given the historical context. But these people don’t care. They’re so limited, so ignorant, and so cynical that they not only ignore these kinds of nuances but even find it funny to reproduce insults that any real-life James Potter would probably have used against them.

Make no mistake: James Potter and Sirius Black wouldn’t have been your friends. They would have tortured you as much, if not more, than Snape. And that’s the most pathetic part of their fandom, unfortunately.

[robots-here-and-there]

I just had a random thought; cybertronians have different context for dead names compared to humans.

Okay so, pretty much all cybertronian names are unisex. They're not gendered like human names are. So when a cybertronian changes gender, they don't change their name. Because as far as they're concerned, they're still the same person regardless of what their pronouns are. As seen with Arcee, Lug, and Anode.

The only time cybertronians change their name is when they experience a major upheaval (emotionally, mentally, or physically) and either no longer feel how they used to or want to change/reinvent themselves. As seen with such bots like Megatron, Drift, Bumblebee, Tarn, Blackarachnia, and Chromedome.

They start to go by a new name and refuse to use their old name. Sometimes even becoming upset, annoyed or angry when someone calls them by their old name. They're old name is dead to them, making it a dead name.

So when cybertronians come to earth they understand what a dead name is, but they don't understand the human context for it.

[gnosis-devotee]

Sadly might be a hot take:

You shouldn’t be purposely be misgendering any trans person ever?

Even if you are trans.

Even if you don’t like them.

Even if they are a bad person.

When you only use the name and pronouns of a trans person that you like or respect, you aren’t actually an ally. You don’t refer to them correctly because you think transness is valid and okay. You do it because you like them/respect them. If you take the quickest possible chance to misgender someone else, you are participating in transphobia! I’m seeing this on the news, I’m seeing this on Tumblr where the trans women who are for some reason against trans men are misgendering them.

Transness is valid. It isn’t bad. It doesn’t become invalid when you don’t like someone.

If I can use my abusers (whom I obviously do not like or respect) correct name and pronouns when talking about them in therapy, I’m sure you can figure out a way to use the right ones for someone who disagreed with you in the comments.

[passionateseadruid]

So Vox died.

before death he was Vincent Whittman, but now in hell he seems to prefer to go by Vox.

so would Vincent be his dead name or would it be Vox?

[th3odore]

can we stop deadnaming me please

[rosewind2007]

[anemoiaaaaaa]

i don't know too many other trans people irl so I don't really have anyone to bounce this idea off of but does it bother anyone else when people headcannon a transition/feminine name for a character it's just their original name with a slightly more feminine sounding but at the end? I say this because I've been seeing it a lot for jax. I've seen people call her Jaz, Jaxlyn, Jazmine, etc. and personally im not too sure how I feel about it. idk if this is just because I've had some bad personal experiences with other people "chosing" a female name (one that was just my other name but female) for me and that just stuck with me and I'm just projecting that discomfort into jax but idk. when I actually chose a more feminine name for myself I made it very different from my original name which is why I'm more inclined to call her Daisy or another name. I'm not sure if anything I just said was coherent in the slightest but y'know I just want to hear other people's thoughts