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Original · left

Nerf (foam toys)

A Hasbro toy brand of foam balls and foam-dart blasters.

First in use: c. 1969
Duplicate · right

Nerf (game balance)

A game update that weakens a character, weapon or ability to balance play; the opposite of a buff.

First in use: the 1990s

Nerf / Nerf (foam toys) / Nerf (game balance)

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Making a weapon softer, like a foam dart.

Which meaning of Nerf is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Nerf (foam toys) came first (c. 1969). Nerf (game balance) arrived in the 1990s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

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Nerf (foam toys)Nerf (game balance)
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Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · c. 1969

Nerf (foam toys)

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Duplicate · the 1990s

Nerf (game balance)

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More duplicated terms

Gaming