Yup, I do the same as lonegael, also asking them a question only at utmost need. I've definitely had a number of bosses that were that way, one particularly bad. One could ask him a very specific question and he'd start his answer pretty much with a review the alphabet (ok, slight exaggeration... ) Fortunately, there was an employee there who knew more than he did, and she gave very practical advice. Guess which one I'd go to?

Also, lonegael truly states the basis of their behavior -- they just can't stand the thought of someone having a brain -- which is usually just overcompensation for their own insecurities. (Oh yeah... and in the same vein, he'd take credit all the time for others' work.) I'd keep this in mind and consider him a psychological study... Heehee... Thinking like this also helped me distance myself from the behavior a bit and not take it as personally. (Besides, he treated positively everyone that way.)