“Search again” is another way of saying “research”, right?

Maybe it’s the word-nerd in me, but why is the word RESEARCH – “the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions” (Google definition), prefaced with a “RE”? The “re” prefix is used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition.

Research implies a first search followed by another search.

Welcome to the mind of a creative.

This blog was supposed to be about my whirlwind trip to the Boston area for, ahem, research, on my next novel. Instead, I was derailed by the inconsistency of the American language.

I started thinking about other “re” words. Reply, response, renege, revoke. Renaissance, remember, revolt, revive. Regarding, resist, rely, repair. There are a lot of “re” words. All of these words seem to have a “pre” to them, some sort of prior experience or understanding. You reply when you’ve been contacted. You respond the same. You renege on a preexisting promise. You revoke something by taking it back. See?

I was in Boston, having a GREAT time, eating and drinking (and thanks for all your concern on my Facebook posts, lol–obviously we vacation differently), and immersing myself in the local culture. For the FIRST time.

It’s true, I was searching, that would be accurate, but, researching?

I guess a second trip is in order.