A character from The Lord of the Rings. Years ago, I and one of my friends used the name to refer to a sneering, unpleasant man we knew at work. Since then, whenever I occasionally come across a nasty or aggressive person, I tend to think of him under the name 'Bill Ferney'.

Bill Ferney, for instance ... has an evil name in the Bree-Land, and queer folk call at his house. You must have noticed him among the company: a swarthy sneering fellow. He was very close to one of the Southern strangers, and they slipped out together just after your 'accident'. Not all of those Southerners mean well; and as for Ferney, he would sell anything to anybody, or make mischief for amusement.