That is straight out of the Merriam Webster dictionary. I copied and pasted it just as it is written. I believe that is also the context in which you made your claim. Certainly your copy of "Mr. Webster's big red book" contains that information as well. If so I am left with two possible explantions. One, you simply overlooked it. Two, you saw it and decided not to admit to it. If the latter is true then you yourself seem to be putting a little "spin" on your position.

No need though for us to get all red in the face. It's just our own perceptions and views. Jim Martin did not "assume" this man was from New England. He was simply misinformed and he stated why he believed that and apologized for being in error. Some folks are big enough to do that... admit when they are wrong.