Have you considering responding with another question? "Why do you want to know?" or just ignore them altogether.
Yes, the term for answering a question with a question is "interrogative technique" or "rhetorical question."
Clever question with an obvious answer! The tactical purposes of circumlocution are to avoid answering a question. I.e., talking around a subject, without making or getting to a point would be a good way to avoid answering a question. However, because your question was categorized under Law & Legal Issues, you should be forewarned that a court or investigating department might have an issue with such a tactic, if used to avoid legal questions; and they might have --- or find --- reason to dock you for trying. Better advice: check with your attorney.
Yes, because the prefix circum mean around and it will mean to go around the question which means to avoid it.
"I took the long way to the mall to avoid traffic." "She tried to avoid being hit by the basketball." "To save time in the store, I avoid talking to other shoppers." (We were trying to avoid answering that question.)
Yes, it is possible to use circumlocution to avoid answering a question directly. This technique involves speaking or writing in a roundabout way, using excessive words or tangents, so as to not provide a straightforward answer. However, this can be seen as evasive and frustrating for the person seeking a direct response.
It depends on the person. Sometimes they might avoid telling a lie, or sometimes they want to avoid telling something that might make them look bad. Sometimes they feel that a question is too personal, so they don't answer it.
I would think so. People don't want to waste their time answering such stupid questions. I'm only answering this one because I feel sorry that you didn't already know this.
I'm having difficulty answering that question tactfully. The captain of the ship tactfully tacked in time to avoid a collision.
Acetylsalicylic acid. But WikiAnswers.com isn't answering the question, and your computer isn't answering the question. A person is answering your question. In case you weren't sure.
Then you will not get an answer.
I enjoyed answering the question about how God rewarded Noah for his obedience.
The discussion page allows users to discuss a question without answering it.