Английский Этимологический словарь - low (adj.)

- M.E. lah, from O.N. lagr "low," from P.Gmc. *lжgaz. In geographical usage, it refers to the part of a country near the sea-shore. Sense of "dejected, dispirited" is attested from 1737. Low-down "vulgar" is from 1888. Lowbrow "not intellectual" is first attested 1902, said to have been coined by humorist Will Irwin.