Their story, as written by Daniel Gookin in 1674, is worth repeating: At the island of Nope, or Martha's Vineyard, about the year 1649, one of the first .
Nope, an old name for the bullfinch used by Drayton (Wright), is a corrupt form for an ope, otherwise spelt aupe, olp, or alpe (Prompt.Parv.).
The sexton seemed reluctant to resume his old duties, remarking -- Be I to nope Mr. M on the head if I catches him asleep?.
I'll fetch thee a nope.
... nope ...
... - NO ARMS, NO LEGS? - NOPE. ...