The term answer is from Old English andswaru "a response, a reply to a question," from and- "against" (from PIE root *ant- "front, forehead," with derivatives meaning "in front of, before") + -swaru "affirmation," from swerian "to swear" (see swear), suggesting an original sense of "sworn statement rebutting a charge." Meaning "solution of a problem" is from c. 1300.

Calling on the phone may seem to be dead. Humans crave community and social contact, face-to-face, voice-to-voice instead of a robot or a computer. So when someone calls you please answer the phone. Ask questions. Learn. Sell something.

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Answering questions, affirm a destination, before and after