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.
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