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Rated: E · Other · Experience · #1627714
The use of the prefix "re"
Re:

Have you ever thought about the prefix “re”?  It’s kind of like the mulligan (golf term for a do over) of the dictionary.  If you do not like the person you are you can re-invent yourself.  If your boss or editor doesn’t like your briefs (not your tighty-whities or boxers) or your manuscript you can re-write it.  If you’re a music producer and you don’t like the final mix of a song you re-mix it…*Terms do not apply to concrete mixers*.  For your second hand stores out there they re-sale the garment you no longer care for or can’t fit into.  For many couples out there they re-new their vows to re-commit their love to each other.  And for politicians they want you to re-elect them to office again and again and again, some simply by re-stating their redundant policies while others find the need to re-vamp themselves to remain in office.  You can re-order a magazine or re-read a book; you can re-claim a lost item or re-place it.  You can re-create a certain magic.  You can re-think your words and re-consider what you are about to say because, once you speak you can’t re-coup them.

Some things you just can’t “re” though.  You can’t re-leap, hence the saying look before you leap.  You can re-heat a meal, but not re-cook it.  You can re-marry but you can’t re-divorce.  You can’t re-be a virgin.  You can’t re-crash the car until it has been repaired.  You can’t re-hash an argument if you are smart enough to not get in one.  You can’t rewind scotch tape, but you can re-wind a VCR or tape deck if there are any of those still in existence.  You can’t re-eat, re-drink, or re-poop, but you can regurgitate.  You can re-cycle but not on a bike.  You can’t re-pick your nose, or re-sneeze but you can have a constant cough…not re-cough.  You can’t re-train a dog even though some think you can teach old dog new tricks.  It can’t re-rain or re-snow, it can’t re-flood or re-blizzard, but those things may want you to re-locate if they happen to re-occur with any frequencies.  You can’t re-whistle, you can’t re-breathe but you can breathe new life into a project.  You can re-shuffle, but you can’t re-divide.  You can’t re-cry but you can reduce another to tears.  You can be re-born, but you can’t be re-dead…unless you were Lazarus.

You can repeat your mistakes and you will remain the same.  You can re-trace your steps but you are going in the wrong direction.  You can re-capture a city but never a lost heart.  You can re-form your ways but you can’t reform another’s thoughts about you.  You can forgive and re-forgive but some never forget.  You can re-take control of your life.  Respect others and they will return the respect.

I am going to refrain from any more “re’s” for today, my brain is refried, my thoughts need to be reorganized,  my fingers reluctant to peck anymore, and I am sure you can not recall or remember why you started reading this in the first place.                       
© Copyright 2009 rthomas (rthomasintsls at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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