A literal minded person just doesn't get figurative speech, instead interpreting instructions, idioms, Understatement, sarcasm, and so forth completely literally. Some of the ways this trope is played: * Bothering by the Book and Exact Words, where somebody deliberately uses a literal interpretation in order to gain an advantage or make a point, perhaps using Obfuscating Stupidity. Often used in Loophole Abuse. * Literal Genie, who does this maliciously. * Mathematician's Answer * To set up Entendre Failure. Examples of Literal Minded include: