FANS of the American mockumentary show “Parks and Recreation”, created by NBC, have noted with delight the serial abuse of “literally” by Rob Lowe's character Chris Traeger. He eccentrically pronounces it /ˈlit rə li/ (close to the standard British pronunciation) every time he uses and misuses it, which is often.

“I have a resting heart rate of 28 beats per minute. The doctors who studied me said that my heart could, literally, pump jet fuel up into a jet.” A send-up of type-A personalities, Traeger characterizes various foods, people and experiences as literally the best. The comedic value of a character like Traeger comes from the deformative effects his sunny perspective has on his own speech. He expresses delight at the most banal details (“Biking for charity is literally one of my interests on Facebook”). His personality leaves people in awe and often wondering, “Is this guy for real?" (While cold-calling for a telethon Traeger asks, “Is this Deirdre Splatterfork? That is literally the most beautiful name I have ever heard.”)

It would seem that the more frequently one uses “literally” in everyday speech, the more often one's sincerity could be called into question. But not always. In one episode, Traeger describes his workout regimen, which is obnoxiously predicated on earth's literal distance to the moon. His is a world of infinite possibility. "I have run ten miles a day, everyday for 18 years. That's 65,000 miles. A third of the way to the moon. My goal is to run to the moon.” In many ways, Traeger is the polar opposite of Aubrey Plaza's character April Ludgate, the moody intern-cum-secretary whose doe-eyed servings of deadpan are oil to Traeger's watered-down speech. Unlike Traeger, Ludgate is openly mean and her expressions of sentiment are so rare, they function as unlikely plot devices.

Both characters lie, but in different ways. Ludgate lies for her own amusement or lies about her own enjoyment in order to remain emotionally distant. Traeger, the perverted optimist, has trouble acknowledging any sort of trouble. And so when trouble comes, he copes desperately with—what else—"literally". In a spoof of the Anthony Weiner scandal, Rashida Jones's character, a nurse, is email-bombed by anxious bureaucrats seeking health advice re: their genitalia. Traeger's response: “Oh my god, your in-box is literally filled with penises!”

In a more recent episode, Traeger's character is dumped, a worldview-shaking occurrence for someone with such cheekbones. As his character arc continues, and presumably, his outlook on life becomes wearied, it will be interesting to see whether Traeger's abuse of the word “literally” abates, or is somehow amended.

Until then, there are always re-runs.