Egads My thoughts were almost word for word like Steve's words.
Nigel is a purist of sorts and might miss the nuance of wit at times but don't we all.
My dad was a political scientist so my take on the word scientist is more figurative. It is more of a synthesis of disciplines. Even economics has more 'science' in its modeling.

I told Nigel I sometimes like to make up language like James Joyce but after his literal take and extraordinary extrapolation, he was way 'off base' but I never called him 'out'. Well "You're OUT!" :^O