Q: DURING a conversation, the term "living over the brush" was mentioned. Most of us knew it meant living together without being married. Someone mentioned they had heard that "jumping over the brush" meant getting married. Any connection? - Olga Carr, Middleton in Teesdale.

A: THERE is a connection and both terms can mean living together as a couple without being married. The phrases seem to have developed from "jumping the broomstick". At one time, couples in remote parts of England, Scotland and the southern US could be legally married by the act of jumping over a broomstick held by two people known to the couple. It saved on clerical fees or waiting for a preacher to pass that way. It has now come to signify living together without being married. Its exact origin is unknown, but some have connected it to the unholy practices of witches who ride on broomsticks.

Q: WHAT is the origin of Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street? I seem to recall that it is not very old. - Shirley Palmer, Castle Eden.

A: I THINK you may have confused Lumley with Lambton Castle. Lumley was built by Sir Ralph Lumley in 1389 and is regarded as a genuine medieval castle although there was extensive restoration in the 18th Century. Lambton Castle, across the A1(M) to the north, is however a sham. It masquerades as a medieval castle, but was built in 1795.

Q: COULD you tell me what the bluestone in Sherburn village was? A book called The People's History of Our Villages shows an old photograph of the village and mentions the stone. I have asked friends in Sherburn but they have not heard of it. - I Simpson, Ferryhill.

A: I have drawn a blank on this one but would welcome any information on the bluestone of Sherburn.

Q: Is it true that Stonehenge took a bad beating from the Romans and had it not been for them, the monument could still be largely intact? - A Lightfoot, Bridlington.

A: There is no evidence that the Romans plundered the stone and, considering Stonehenge has stood for 40 centuries, it seems unfair to attribute its destruction to the four centuries of Roman occupation.

A: IN your recent Burning Question on the flag of the US, you did not mention that the stars and stripes symbol is carved above the entrance door at Washington Old Hall. I lived on the other side of the Atlantic for most of my working life and visited the Washington home many years ago. Betsy Ross, George Washington's housekeeper, is alleged to have produced the first "Old Glory", no doubt under the instruction of George himself - and with no sewing machine.

This is not relevant to the subject, but I thought you might like to know that George Washington was fitted with a set of wooden false teeth. I hope they were made from British oak. - Willis Collinson, Durham.

* If you have a Burning Question, or can improve on any of the answers above, please write to Burning Questions, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF