E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Row (rhyme with now).
A tumult. It used to be written roue, and referred to the night encounters of the roués or profligate bon-vivants whose glory it was to attack the “Charleys” and disturb the peace. (See ROUE.)
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Row (rhyme with low). The Row means “Paternoster Row,” famous for publishing firms and wholesale book-sellers, or Rotten Row (q.v.). (Anglo-Saxon, rw, a line.)
w, a line.)
