I'm sorry to say I've been guilty MANY times of saying "search the forum"!
But, having tried to search the forum myself, I've given up saying that now!!

And I have also said "This has been asked many times before"
I think it stems from wanting to help but, being made to repeat yourself over & over, it begins to feel like no-one is listening.
I know thats irrational, as new people are joining the forum all the time, but its sometimes hard to resist saying it.
Its not meant to be a 'slap-down' to newbies (except in cases where the same question has been asked only 3 topics down!) and in future I'll try to be more sympathetic or zip it!