HERE are a couple of interesting yedscratters for customers of this ancient column to mull over.

Denis B. Green of Rainhill asks about the origins of the well-used expressions 'bottle' and 'bottling out' - respectively meaning guts and determination; and, conversely, the lack of these qualities.

Says Denis: "I use the expression myself, but what on earth has courage got to do with bottles? Can any of your readers provide an answer?"

Closer to home, a curious Yicker (who wishes to remain anonymous) asks whether Haydock ever had any American connections. He explains that there were well known places in the one-time pit village known as Old Boston and New Boston, these locations being occupied by old colliery cottages.

In more recent times, the ancient name was revived by the creation of the Old Boston industrial estate.

"Could the old mine owners have had connection with the USA", he asks, "or does this have some link with Boston in Lincolnshire?"

ANYONE with helpful feedback, regarding the above mysteries, could kindly drop a line to Whalley's World at the Star.