Sneer if You Like

Have you ever noticed that most words that begin with "sn" have negative connotations?

Think about:

• Snail (in the context of slow, not escargot)

• Snafu (although in fairness, this is an acronym)

• Snag

• Snap (as in to "snap at" someone, not a lovely ginger snap)

• Snare

• Snarky

• Snarl

• Sneak

• Sneer

• Sneeze (you can sneeze at an idea that you also sneer at)

• Snicker (a scornful laugh, not the candy bar)

• Snide

• Sniff

• Sniffles

• Snipe (take a cheap shot at someone)

• Snitch

• Snivel

• Snob

• Snoop

• Snore

• Snort (although a snort of whiskey can be good)

• Snotty (snotty little brat)

• Snub

• Snuck

• Snuff (as in snuff out a life)

• Snug

I haven't been able to find any reason for this; it just seems to be an interesting phenomenon of the English language. And there are of course exceptions: snow can be lovely under certain circumstances, a snifter of brandy is nice, and being called a snazzy dresser is (usually) a compliment.