recuerdo v. acuerdo - confusing. etymology?

Question

Can someone please help us learners to feel less dumb by agreeing that these two terms are, at least, a little bit confusing?
1st: They sound identical after the 1st syllable.
2nd: When I type 'acuerdo' into Google Translate (not the best, I know) it doesn't list a single Spanish synonym for 'remember' but every word for 'agree'.
3rd: 'Recordar' (record) makes sense in terms of roots that work in both languages. Acuerdo (accord) makes sense for accord in the same way. They seem so separate. Purely out of etymological curiosity, how did acuerdo come to mean recall? Any ideas?

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Answer 1

With a simple dictionary you can clarify your doubts Acuerdo=agreement.. to agree

Recuerdo= memory . I remember

Take on count that In a reflexive sentence acuerdo comes from the verb recordar (to remember) while in a not reflexive sentence it comes from the verb acordar (to agree) -

But I as well learened that "me acuerdo" means "I remember." - Winkfish, Aug 1, 2015

yes . you are right winkfish. is for this that i have modify my post. - 000a35ff, Aug 2, 2015

Answer 2

Recordar is to remember. A souvenir (from the French word for to remember) or memory of a place is un recuerdo.

Acordarse is to remember and always reflexive for this meaning.

If you can read Spanish competently here is some etymology:

Recordar