Dictionary entry
john barleycorn
/ˈbɑːlikɔːn/
noun
大麦约翰（对麦芽酒、啤酒或威士忌等含酒精饮料的拟人化称呼）
a personification of malt liquor, beer, or whiskey
通常用于诗歌或谑称
<谑>大麦约翰(制酒的麦芽或啤酒等含酒精饮料的拟人化名称)
In use
In Scottish folklore, John Barleycorn often represents the barley used in whisky.
The old ballad tells the story of how John Barleycorn is killed and resurrected as beer.
When farmers toast to John Barleycorn, they celebrate the end of the harvest season.
John Barleycorn as subject
John Barleycorn is often personified in folk songs.
大麦约翰在民歌中常被拟人化。
John Barleycorn as object of 'drink' or 'have'
John Barleycorn 在此指代啤酒或威士忌等酒精饮料。
He drank John Barleycorn to forget his sorrows.
他喝大麦约翰（啤酒）以忘却忧愁。
possessive form 'John Barleycorn's'
所有格形式表示拟人化人物所属。
John Barleycorn's power is celebrated in many ballads.
许多民谣歌颂大麦约翰的力量。
prepositional phrase 'like John Barleycorn'
用于比喻或拟人化比较。
The god of wine is like John Barleycorn, symbolizing harvest.
酒神如同大麦约翰，象征丰收。
Learner notes
Grammar Note
专有名词，不可数，拟人化名称，通常指代啤酒或威士忌等含酒精饮料。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT.