Barley

A common nickname - often seen in the form 'old Barley' - for Barliman Butterbur, the innkeeper of the Prancing Pony in Bree. 'Barley' is simply an abbreviated form of 'Barliman', of course, but it also hints at the etymology of the innkeeper's given name. 'Barliman' comes ultimately from 'barley man', a reference to the cereal crop used in the brewing of beer. So, Butterbur's nickname also has connections to his profession as the keeper of the Prancing Pony inn.