Usually the term LEGITIMATE QUESTION comes up in a conversation that is more of a debate. The individuals are discussing some topic and one of them challenges something the other has said by asking a question. The question usually requires an answer that makes the other person have to defend their point or perspective. If the question asked is truly relevant to the topic of debate then the person who has been called upon to answer the question might acknowledge the appropriateness of the question by saying, “That’s a legitimate question.” This phrase is often used to set someone up for a good answer that will follow. By telling the asker their question is legitimate, you give them the sense they have scored a point in the debate or discussion. But, then, when you have a good answer to their question, you pull the rug out from under them.

For example, let’s say we were discussing the war in Iraq. I might contend that we need to stay there until order is restored. You might ask, “If we continue to keep troops there won’t thousands of more soldiers be killed?” In truth, that is a legitimate question because as long as we do stay in Iraq more soldiers will be killed. But, the world has been fighting wars for freedom for centuries, hundreds of thousands of people have given their lives so others could be free and if we leave Iraq too soon it is likely that many, many more people will die if the country falls into a protracted civil war.

In this example about the war in Iraq, if you had asked me to explain why Sadaam Hussein was found in a spider hole, that would NOT be a legitimate question to our discussion because the question has nothing to do with the issue of whether we should stay in Iraq or not.

Does that help?

1 a : lawfully begotten; specifically : born in wedlock b : having full filial rights and obligations by birth

2 : being exactly as purposed : neither spurious nor false

3 a : accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements b : ruling by or based on the strict principle of hereditary right

4 : conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules and standards