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Nerf vs Derf - What's the difference?

nerf | derf |

As a verb nerf

is to bump lightly, whether accidentally or purposefully.

As an adjective derf is

strong; powerful; fierce.

nerf

English

(NERF)

Etymology 1

From automobile racing; to bump another car (ca. 1950s?).

Verb

(en verb)
  • (auto racing) To bump lightly, whether accidentally or purposefully.
    • A racer will often nerf another as a psychological tactic.

    Derived terms

    * nerf bar * nerf net

    Etymology 2

    From the trademark NERF (an abbreviation of "non-expanding recreational foam"), a range of toys made of soft foam, ineffective as actual weapons (1969).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (slang) to water down, dumb down or especially weaken, particularly in video games.
    • The lightning spell was pretty powerful before they nerfed it.

    Anagrams

    * ----

    derf

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) strong; powerful; fierce

    • Derived terms

    * derfly (Webster 1913)