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* ''ElGoonishShive'': Do you have a distinctive impression that [[http://egscomics.com/?date=2009-03-06 Abraham didn't care]] to hear [[TooMuchInformation the answer]] to this question?
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* Inverted on ''{{Futurama}}'':
-->'''Zapp Brannigan''': We have failed to uphold Brannigan's Law. However, I made it with a hot alien babe. And, in the end, is that not what man has dreamt of since first he looked up at the stars? ''(pause)'' Kif, I'm asking you a question!
-->'''Zapp Brannigan''': We have failed to uphold Brannigan's Law. However, I made it with a hot alien babe. And, in the end, is that not what man has dreamt of since first he looked up at the stars? ''(pause)'' Kif, I'm asking you a question!
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* This happens in ''TheBigBangTheory'' when Raj, Howard, and Sheldon go look up an entomologist to settle a bet:
-->'''Professor [[MeaningfulName Crawley]]''': Let me ask you a question. What does an accomplished entomologist with a doctorate and twenty years of experience do when the university cuts all his funding? \\
'''Raj''': [[LampshadeHanging Ask uncomfortable rhetorical questions to people]]?
-->'''Professor [[MeaningfulName Crawley]]''': Let me ask you a question. What does an accomplished entomologist with a doctorate and twenty years of experience do when the university cuts all his funding? \\
'''Raj''': [[LampshadeHanging Ask uncomfortable rhetorical questions to people]]?
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* Used in TotalDramaWorldTour, when Chris was trying to tell the contestants that one of them would have to ride in the baby carriage as part of their challenge.
-->'''Chris''': And what's a baby carriage without a ''baby''?
-->'''Owen''': Oooh! [[CompletelyMissingThePoint A SHOPPING CART!]]
-->'''Chris''': It was a rhetorical question!
-->'''Chris''': And what's a baby carriage without a ''baby''?
-->'''Owen''': Oooh! [[CompletelyMissingThePoint A SHOPPING CART!]]
-->'''Chris''': It was a rhetorical question!
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[[AC:WebComics]]
* From ''AMiracleOfScience'':
-->'''Beatriz Juruna''': What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?
-->'''Vergil Haas''': ...Well, he profits by one entire ''world'', for starters.
* From ''AMiracleOfScience'':
-->'''Beatriz Juruna''': What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?
-->'''Vergil Haas''': ...Well, he profits by one entire ''world'', for starters.
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-->"Bring peace?"
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* In the FlowersForAlgernon episode of ''SpongebobSquarepants'', leading to a EurekaMoment when Patrick figures out why he's suddenly become superintelligent.
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* In the FlowersForAlgernon {{Flowers For Algernon|Syndrome}} episode of ''SpongebobSquarepants'', leading to a EurekaMoment when Patrick figures out why he's suddenly become superintelligent.
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--> '''Homer''': "Isn't bad"? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done mankind's ever done that's any better?
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--> '''Homer''': "Isn't bad"? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done mankind's ever done that's any better?
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* In the FlowersForAlgernon episode of ''SpongebobSquarepants'', leading to a EurekaMoment when Patrick figures out why he's suddenly become superintelligent.
-->'''Patrick:''' When did the fun go away, Spongebob?
-->'''Spongebob:''' Right after you went over that cliff.
-->'''Patrick:''' When did the fun go away, Spongebob?
-->'''Spongebob:''' Right after you went over that cliff.
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Alternately, the question might have been a joke - whether or not it was one from the character's point of view - and the response will then [[DontExplainTheJoke explain it]].
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Ah, rhetorical questions. Is there anything they can't do?
Wait, don't answer that.
Wait, don't answer that.
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Ah, rhetorical questions. Is there anything they can't do?
do? [[DefiedTrope ...Wait, don't answer that.
that.]]
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* The undefined-but-clearly-supernatural nature of Messrs Croup and Vandemar in ''{{Neverwhere}}'' is shown when Vandemar sticks a knife through the back of his own hand, doesn't bleed, and shows no pain. Shortly afterward, Mr Croup makes a comment about "[[TheMerchantOfVenice Oh, Mr Vandemar, if you cut us, do we not bleed?]]" Vandemar's response is a carefully considered "No."
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* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutionaries begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" and "Sanitation!"
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* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutionaries begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" offering examples, leading to:
-->"All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and"Sanitation!"
public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"
-->"All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and
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* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutions begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" and "Sanitation!"
to:
* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutions revolutionaries begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" and "Sanitation!"
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quote trimming
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--> '''Homer''': This is better.
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* In ''{{Blackadder}} II'' Blackadder shows Baldrick a potato and OneDialogueTwoConversations ensues:
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* In ''{{Blackadder}} II'' II'', Blackadder shows Baldrick a potato and OneDialogueTwoConversations ensues:
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* In ''{{Blackadder}} II'', when Blackadder shows Baldrick a potato:
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* In ''{{Blackadder}} II'', when II'' Blackadder shows Baldrick a potato:potato and OneDialogueTwoConversations ensues:
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[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutions begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" and "Sanitation!"
* ''LifeOfBrian'' has an extended example: when Reg asks "What have the Romans ever done for us?", the other revolutions begin shouting out things like "The aqueduct!" and "Sanitation!"
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* In ''{{Blackadder}} II'', when Blackadder shows Baldrick a potato:
-->'''Blackadder''': I mean, look at this. What is it?
-->'''Baldrick''': I'm surprised you've forgotten, my lord.
-->'''Blackadder''': I haven't forgotten. It's a rhetorical question.
-->'''Baldrick''': No, it's a potato.
-->'''Blackadder''': I mean, look at this. What is it?
-->'''Baldrick''': I'm surprised you've forgotten, my lord.
-->'''Blackadder''': I haven't forgotten. It's a rhetorical question.
-->'''Baldrick''': No, it's a potato.
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** In ''Discworld/{{Thud}}'', Fred Colon comments on the trouble in Koom Valley with the immortal question "[[WaxingLyrical War, Nobby, huh. What is it good for?]]" This being Discworld, where rhetorical questions never caught on, Nobby answers the question with things like "Freeing slaves" and "Protecting yourself from a totalitarian aggressor"
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** In ''Discworld/{{Thud}}'', Fred Colon comments on the trouble in Koom Valley with the immortal question "[[WaxingLyrical War, Nobby, huh. What is it good for?]]" This being Discworld, where rhetorical questions never caught on, Nobby answers the question with things like "Freeing slaves" and "Protecting yourself from a totalitarian aggressor"
aggressor".
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* ''Discworld/MovingPictures'' has:
to:
* Several {{Discworld}} examples:
** ''Discworld/MovingPictures'' has:
** ''Discworld/MovingPictures'' has:
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** In ''Discworld/{{Thud}}'', Fred Colon comments on the trouble in Koom Valley with the immortal question "[[WaxingLyrical War, Nobby, huh. What is it good for?]]" This being Discworld, where rhetorical questions never caught on, Nobby answers the question with things like "Freeing slaves" and "Protecting yourself from a totalitarian aggressor"
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* ''TheSimpsons'' did it in "Homer To The Max":
--> '''Bart''': This isn't bad!
--> '''Homer''': "Isn't bad"? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done mankind's ever done that's any better?
--> '''Lisa''': The Renaissance?
--> '''Homer''': This is better.
--> '''Bart''': This isn't bad!
--> '''Homer''': "Isn't bad"? Tell me one thing mankind has ever done mankind's ever done that's any better?
--> '''Lisa''': The Renaissance?
--> '''Homer''': This is better.
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* ''Discworld/MovingPictures'' has:
-->'''Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler:''' Trust me. Have I ever lied to you?
-->'''Bezam Planter:''' Well, one night last month you sold me a sausage in a bun and you said--
-->'''Throat:''' I was speaking rhetorically.
-->'''Bezam:''' Oh. Well. I dunno about rhetorically.
-->'''Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler:''' Trust me. Have I ever lied to you?
-->'''Bezam Planter:''' Well, one night last month you sold me a sausage in a bun and you said--
-->'''Throat:''' I was speaking rhetorically.
-->'''Bezam:''' Oh. Well. I dunno about rhetorically.
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* On ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Dick Solomon responds to the question "You think you're the smartest person in the world, don't you?" with "For the thousandth time, ''Yes''!"
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* On ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Dick Solomon responds to the question "You think you're the smartest person in the world, don't you?" with "For the thousandth time, ''Yes''!"
''yes''!"
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* In ''The Talisman'' by StevenKing, the BigBad considers the [[AsTheGoodBookSays Bible verse]] "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He concludes, "It profits him the world."
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* In ''The Talisman'' by StevenKing, StephenKing, the BigBad considers the [[AsTheGoodBookSays Bible verse]] "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He concludes, "It profits him the world."
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[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* On ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Dick Solomon responds to the question "You think you're the smartest person in the world, don't you?" with "For the thousandth time, ''Yes''!"
* On ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'', Dick Solomon responds to the question "You think you're the smartest person in the world, don't you?" with "For the thousandth time, ''Yes''!"
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!!'''Examples'''
to:
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* In ''The Talisman'' by StevenKing, the BigBad considers the [[AsTheGoodBookSays Bible verse]] "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" He concludes, "It profits him the world."
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* From ''CloneHigh'':
--> '''Mr. Butlertron:''' What would the real Joan of Arc have done?
--> '''Joan:''' She would have listened to her heart. And then she would've gotten burned at the stake. ''[nervous laugh]'' But what are the odds of that happening again?
--> '''Mr. Butlertron:''' 38%.
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Could easily lead to RidMeOfThisPriest. Particularly common when dealing with someone who DoesNotUnderstandSarcasm. Related to AnalogyBackfire.
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Using a rhetorical question to make a point in an environment where anyone can edit, like, say, a wiki? This is a blunder! Rhetorical questions are a perfectly valid way to make a point, but that question mark at the end is just [[SchmuckBait completely irresistible]] for some people. They ''have'' to edit in an answer.
The article then degenerates into {{Natter}}.
Maybe people should refrain from answering rhetorical questions. The fact is, though, that they don't refrain. The good thing here is that there is an easy fix. Don't get the whole thing started by using a rhetorical question unless you immediately answer it yourself.
The article then degenerates into {{Natter}}.
Maybe people should refrain from answering rhetorical questions. The fact is, though, that they don't refrain. The good thing here is that there is an easy fix. Don't get the whole thing started by using a rhetorical question unless you immediately answer it yourself.
to:
The article then degenerates into {{Natter}}.
Maybe people should refrain from answering rhetorical questions. The fact is, though, that
Wait, don't
A RhetoricalQuestionBlunder is
Alternately, the question might have been a joke - whether or not it
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<<|WikiTropes|>>
<<|SelfDemonstratingArticle|>>
<<|SelfDemonstratingArticle|>>
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<<|SelfDemonstratingArticle|>>
!!'''Examples'''
----
<<|IndexBackfire|>>
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Maybe people should refrain from answering rhetorical questions. The fact is, though, that they don't refrain. The good thing here is that there is an easy fix. Don't get the whole thing started by using a rhetorical question.
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Maybe people should refrain from answering rhetorical questions. The fact is, though, that they don't refrain. The good thing here is that there is an easy fix. Don't get the whole thing started by using a rhetorical question.question unless you immediately answer it yourself.
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long quote moved to Quotes page
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->'''Reg''': And what have [the Romans] ever given us in return?
->'''Xerxes''': ...The aqueduct?
->'''Reg''': What?
->'''Xerxes''': The aqueduct.
->'''Reg''': Oh yeah, yeah they gave us that. Yeah. That's true.
->'''Masked Commando''': And the sanitation!
->''**Much later**''
->'''Reg''': All right... But apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?
->'''Xerxes''': ...Brought peace.
->'''Reg''': Oh, ''[[SarcasmMode peace]]''... Shut up!
-->-- ''LifeOfBrian''
->'''Xerxes''': ...The aqueduct?
->'''Reg''': What?
->'''Xerxes''': The aqueduct.
->'''Reg''': Oh yeah, yeah they gave us that. Yeah. That's true.
->'''Masked Commando''': And the sanitation!
->''**Much later**''
->'''Reg''': All right... But apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?
->'''Xerxes''': ...Brought peace.
->'''Reg''': Oh, ''[[SarcasmMode peace]]''... Shut up!
-->-- ''LifeOfBrian''
to:
->'''Xerxes''': ...The aqueduct?
->'''Reg''': What?
->'''Xerxes''': The aqueduct.
->'''Reg''': Oh yeah, yeah they gave us that. Yeah. That's true.
->'''Masked Commando''': And the sanitation!
->''**Much later**''
->'''Reg''': All right... But apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?
->'''Xerxes''': ...Brought peace.
->'''Reg''': Oh, ''[[SarcasmMode peace]]''... Shut up!
-->-- ''LifeOfBrian''
