Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
KEEL-ROW, n.comb.
1. A Gallovidian country-dance (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 290); the Highland Schottische, freq. danced to this tune (Uls. 1953 Traynor).
2. A sport in which two children sit facing each other with arms and legs interlocked, and alternately raise one another (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Add. 341; Kcb.10 1941).
[From the name of the well-known Northumberland song “Merry May the Keel Row.”]
