Noah Webster, the maker of the dictionary, carried his exact knowledge
as to the meaning of words into ordinary speech. A story told of
him--which is, of course, untrue--illustrates the point.
Noah's wife entered the kitchen, to find him kissing the cook.
"Why, Noah," she exclaimed, "I am surprised!"
The lexicographer regarded his wife disapprovingly, and rebuked her:
"_You_ are astonished--_I_ am surprised."