[PapuanLanguages] Languages named "No"

[Tom Honeyman]

Hi All,

I have often heard anecdotal evidence of a naming pattern, supposedly widespread, in various parts of both PNG and Australia of languages "named" for the word meaning “no” (or “no-having”, or the negator) in that language.

I'm sure I have a memory of someone either publishing or at least blogging about this in the last 10 years or so, but I can't for the life of me find the source. “No” is of course not the only convention either.

Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

Regards,
Tom Honeyman