But that's the truth. Flat out. It's not kinda sorta close, even. Telling someone anything otherwise is NOT "helpful".
As for "snide", I would dare say that the snideness is far more often perceived than actual. People often don't like the answers. So much so that they take personal offense to them.
I've never been on the receiving end of that comment. So its not a matter of personal offense for me.
My point is that it's that it's not a helpful way of explaining things. Sure, it's not untrue, but I don't see how it's terribly informative and inviting to a neophyte.