"rhetorical"

rhetorical - rhe·tor·i·cal

adj.

1. Of or relating to rhetoric.

2. Characterized by overelaborate or bombastic rhetoric.

3. Used for persuasive effect: a speech punctuated by rhetorical pauses.

rhetorical question -

• a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered; "he liked to make his points with rhetorical questions"
• a question which the asker does not expect an answer to because the answer itself is supposedly obvious
• a question solely for effect, with no answer expected.

Bullshit.
There is no such thing as a question that is not supposed to be answered.
I mean, I understand using them as a literary device, I've been known to use them myself, haven't I?

But I'm talking in regular conversation, no one asks a question (not knowing the answer) and doesn't want an answer. Any other situation is using it as a literary device. Because really, we are nosy, we DO want to know everything. We say we don't, but we're just trying to hide our curiosity, if no one else is asking it, we don't want to be the first.

This goes for people who start on a subject with someone, usually a relatively personal subject, then interrupt the person when they get too personal by saying, "WAIT, no, I don't want to know." They then feign embarrassment because to be interested in the subject would reveal their true colors. Being curious in certain subjects makes people out to be perverted, evil, nerdy, nosy, rude, crude, lewd...*flashes to george carlin video*
Sorry, I digress.

 



My point is, in our society, it is unacceptable for people to take genuine interest in "unmentionable" subjects, it's frowned upon.
....Unmentionable subjects...
I'm pretty sure I just mean sex.

Sorry about that, it was unintentional. I'll warn you next time.

(that's what she said)

lizard sex