Definition
A Reddit answer is a type of reply to a question that does not address the issue directly and instead suggests that the original problem should have been avoided by taking a different approach entirely. It often appears in online forums and communities (hence why it is named after the Reddit website), where the responder proposes an alternative path rather than engaging with the question asked.
Explanation
Reddit answers typically arise when someone asks for practical help, only to be told that they should have made a different choice at an earlier stage. e.g., a question about fixing a Windows 11 feature might receive a reply recommending the use of Linux. Although such responses may reflect personal preferences or enthusiasm for a particular technology, they offer little assistance to the person seeking a specific solution. As a result, Reddit answers are seen as unhelpful diversions that overlook the actual problem someone is trying to resolve.
Disclaimer: As always these posts are not aimed at anyone client or employer and are just my personal observations over a lifetime of dealing with both management and frontline associates.