What does it mean to "answer back"?

[clop]

Or "talk back"... be gentle to me, I come from another culture.

But I see this phrase and I honestly don't get it. If I ask DS to put away his shoes and he says:

"I'm too tired!"
"No, you do it!"
"I don't feel like it"

Is all of that "answering back"...? And therefore something I'm not supposed to tolerate because of course good children in perfect families never do it? Or Isn't he just stating his feelings?

Answering back/back chat is, I think, being argumentative or resisiting verbally.

I'm too tired - is stating his feelings

The other 2 (depending upon his age & stage of development) are answering back imo & possibly a bit cheeky - tho' I do know children who could/would say both phrases without any intent to be cheeky/rude

"I'm too tired" or "I don't feel like it" I can work with & try to talk to dd about, but the "No, you do it!" in my house, is answering back!

Or when I say it's bedtime & they scream "NO!! I'm not for bed!" that's answering back too.

Though I also have to say that a lot depends on the tone used.

Yup I'd say the second part to that is an example. Basically it is protracted arguments or sulky quips (like "You wouldn't make so and so do it") after the initial discussion is closed.

Its when you've said something to them thats sorted the 'row'/argument out, and they say something back in a sulky , rude tone. Its like they have to have the final word.

Sorry can't think of an example .

My parents go on about "answering back" a lot, yes, it's when you get a "no - you do it" or a cheeky reply to anything.

I have to say that I prefer to explain to my children why i'm asking them to do something, and tend to get more constructive responses, usually like "i've no idea where i put them" (??!) so a bit of direction helps. in our house we rarely have pure rudeness from the children as generally the children understand why things are being asked of them, and like you say, they're just saying how they feel and a compromise can be found rather than a big argument starting off.
I don't say my kids are never a bit crazy or lazy, but it's better to have them understandin why you need them to do something rather than being programmed to take orders.