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ask a silly question and get a silly answer

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/ˈæsk a sɪ.li kwɛs.ʧən ænd gɛt a sɪ.li æn.sər/
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used to suggest that the quality of a question influences the quality of the answer, and that a poorly thought-out or irrelevant question is unlikely to result in a useful answer

The origin of the proverb "ask a silly question and get a silly answer" is believed to be rooted in everyday wisdom from English-speaking cultures. The proverb highlights the tendency for people to respond similarly to questions that do not show careful consideration. It serves as a reminder to think before asking, as asking silly or unnecessary questions may lead to unhelpful or humorous responses.

  • The reporter asked the politician a ridiculous question about building a tunnel to the moon, and the politician responded with some nonsense about pink elephants.It was a classic example of the saying 'ask a silly question and get a silly answer.'