Read VS Read

Sometimes my boss make me a question what is the diference between read and read?, there is not difference, i answered him, the only difference is if you understand what you read... And this stupid text so that? I was looking for how pass a directory whith ssh

# scp file root@host:/root

there is no problem with a file "el pedo" it was pass a directory, i read and read manuals without to find the answer, here this the important "the difference is if you understand what you read..." the problem was solved whit the parameter "-R"

# scp -R directory root@host:/root