barleycorn
pronunciation
How to pronounce barleycorn in British English:
UK ['bɑ:lɪkɔ:n]
How to pronounce barleycorn in American English:
US ['bɑlɪkɔn]
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- Noun:
- a grain of barley
- a grain of barley
Word Origin
- barleycorn (n.)
- late 14c., from barley + corn (n.1). Perhaps to distinguish the barley plant or the grain from its products. In Britain and U.S., the grain is used mainly to prepare liquor, hence personification as John Barleycorn (1620) in popular ballad, and many now-obsolete figures of speech, such as to wear a barley cap (16c.) "to be drunk."
Example
- 1. John barleycorn must pay : compensating the victims of drinking drivers .
- 2. From the wonderful traffic album john barleycorn must die .