[An-lang] Etymology of Mussau maotake

[John Brownie]

Robert Blust wrote:
> I wonder if this could be mata + vanga?
>
I don't have vanga in my dictionary, or a form similar, so can't verify 
this. I assume you're thinking of POC *paŋa? It would be unusual for *p 
to appear as v in Mussau.

Another form is tummatavanga, which has a very similar meaning, but can 
also mean 'obvious' or 'in public', which are reasonable extensions of 
the meaning. I'm unclear on its etymology, with the only other words 
starting with tum those listed here:
tum(1) 'hit'
tum(2) 'collarbone'
tumari 'punch'
tumarooroko 'wasp'
tumtumngana 'dull, blunt'

John
-- 
John Brownie
In Australia on furlough from SIL Papua New Guinea

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