Barley

Generations of Butterburs, Landlords of the Prancing Pony

Barley (Barliman Butterbur)

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.