Why do people ask questions that could be looked up in a dictionary?

Question

e.g., "What is _______ ?"
Look it up online.

It's just one of the things I don't understand.

Answer 1

A. They don't know how to look around the web to find answers (giving them a huge benefit of the doubt).

B. Lazy

C. Like the interaction with others on the web, so, even though they may know how to find the answer, they rather have others tell them.

D. Want the answer fast, and think they will get it faster here than by researching it on their own (lots of folks doing homework on here).

E. Several of the above.

F. Several not mentioned above.

Answer 2

Frank, your point is almost obvious, I think; of course they could look up the answers in an online dictionary. They could also look up the word in a dictionary in their classroom, office, or at home. So some of them are very likely lazy. Yes.

Do you know, though, that this is not the only kind of answer they can look up their own selves? I see things on here all the time which could be referenced with a modicum of effort.

So what is it you don't understand? Are you unwilling to accept that some people are lazy? Or do you feel that people will change any time soon? Or that they should be barred from asking such a question? Then what else would we bar people from asking?

They can ask. You don't have to answer. Just move on to the next question. And have a nice day, sir.

Answer 3

There's a variety of reasons.
"Some" may be to lazy to look it up.
Some find the explanations here are clearer than the dictionary gives.
People will give examples here where the book does not.(or again not as clear)
Some just want the connection with other people, hence they get on Yahoo.
Certain words are hard to spell so if you can't spell a word how do you look it up? (I have seen this happen on yahoo)

Answer 4

You know, that's a good question. haha. I think it's because younger generations lack good research skills outside of internet. It's possible now that some of our middle school kids have never touched a dictionary in their lives since everything is online. I like yahoo answers for people's opinions and for advice because you can hear from people who have experience.

Answer 5

Dictionaries are helpful, but you can't ask a dictionary for specific details that you might be looking for, or even an opinion.

Answer 6

it is probably easier for them to ask than to look it up in the dictionary........or they do not know they have a dictionary to look it up........and others are just plain want to ask instead of finding it their self.........

Answer 7

To save trouble proly.

Answer 8

because there are answers available by the courtesy of Yahoo.com

Answer 9

Because they can.