What fallacy is this? Me: "Why do elephants paint their toenails red?" You: "Why?"
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Me: "To hide in cherry trees." You: RRRR! Me: "Have you ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree?" You: "No." Me: "See? it works!" I've always wondered about this.
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3This particular example appears to be a clear joke / irony, so no fallacies. However, I have seen similar lines of "reasoning" that are meant to be serious. First, there is Begging the Question (elephant's don't paint their nails). Second, the "to hide in cherry trees" answer is factually incorrect. Third, the fact that we haven't seen an elephant hiding in a cherry tree doesn't mean the reason given for why is supported by the fact (false cause / Non Sequitur ).
Aside from the comments given, you can also see it as affirming the consequent.
If X hides in a cherry tree, then X won't be seen.
We cannot see X.
Therefore, X hides in a cherry tree.
You (Me:) are assuming that because you can't prove someone wrong, they are right. This is the Proving Non-Existence Fallacy.
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This question strikes me as (1) frivolous or trite; or (2) an infantilization of this forum. There are myriad real-world examples of fallacies broadcast daily in the MSM, which are worthy of deconstructing: this cartoonish submission, simply an absurd exercise.