Etymograph

English

rowdy

Rowdy may come from English row ‘noisy argument’.

  1. English1500–presentrow‘noisy argument’uncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1842rowdy

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. English1500–presentrow‘noisy argument’uncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1842rowdy

Earliest quotation: 1842, William Leman Rede, The Royal Rake: and the Adventures of Alfred Chesterton: “Where's your money?" Jack exclaimed, hoarsely, in a well-feigned…”

Linked words

through English row ‘noisy argument’

rowed

Today it means

adj Loud and disorderly; riotous; boisterous.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / English row / rowdy

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