[4] Historically, Nishnabotna was thought to be a Native American name meaning "a river where boats were built".

[5] However, more recent research indicates that the name, which was adopted from the Osage language, means "spouting wellspring.

"[6] Nishnabotna Township covers an area of 28.8 square miles (74.6 km2) and contains one incorporated settlement, Watson.

Nishnabotna Township is probably best known outside the immediate region for a reference by the New Yorker cartoonist George Booth, a native of Missouri.

In a single-panel cartoon, one threadbare and addled character says to another as they cross a crowded street in New York City: "Mother always says that.