Why is great a surprise word?

"Great" isn't typically considered a surprise word. It's generally used to express positive evaluation, like "That's a great idea!" or "You did a great job!"

Here's why "great" might sometimes seem surprising:

* Unexpectedly positive: If someone uses "great" to describe something you weren't expecting to be good, it can feel surprising and delightful. For example, if you're worried about a presentation and your boss says "Great job!" it's a pleasant surprise.

* Overused: "Great" is a very common word, often used casually. When it's overused, it can lose its impact and feel less impactful, even when used sincerely. In this case, it might feel like a surprise if someone actually means it when they say "great."

Here are some words that are typically used to express surprise:

* Wow!

* Amazing!

* Really?

* You're kidding!

* Oh my gosh!

So, while "great" can sometimes be surprising in context, it's not a word typically associated with surprise in general.