Jeff Hawkins explores "
preemptive rhetoric," in which rhetorical answers deny being asked. It's a phenomenon we're all familiar with but probably didn't know the name of. See the link for examples, and consider this freshly personal one:
[The context is that no one at dinner could recall the name of that well-respected character actor. Hours later, Oddfellow makes a telephone call.]
[The caller picks up and Oddfellow exclaims.]
A: John Malkovich!
Q: Aren't you supposed to be asleep?
Preemptive rhetoric! Thanks, Jeff!