John Barleycorn

noun

1. a personification of barley as used in malt liquor, of malt liquor itself, or of any intoxicating liquor.

John Barleycorn

noun

1. humorous.
   the personification of alcohol, esp of malt spirits

Word History and Origins

Origin of John Barleycorn¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

In John Barleycorn, Heinold and his bar are referenced a whooping 17 times.

From The Daily Beast

I guess they have got a little too much John Barleycorn on board!

From Project Gutenberg

A man cannot put up a good fight and entertain John Barleycorn at the same time.

From Project Gutenberg

This big, brawny world rover, who has been acquainted with alcohol from boyhood, comes out boldly against John Barleycorn.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, Bill died six years ago from over-assiduous cultivation of John Barleycorn, and they hushed it up.

From Project Gutenberg

Another made the mistake of supposing that he could pin John Barleycorn's shoulders to the mat.

From Project Gutenberg