I just saw this in a shop....

[Kipper]

....I didn't know the nerf gun was a real thing!

http://www.dropbox.com/s/0kceec5h3i03yj7/Photo%2003-09-2012%2017%2024%2049.jpg

[Hamma]

Image no worky :D

[Kipper]

Really struggling in the middle of nowhere on a 3G iPhone. It's taken about an hour to fail at making this thread...!

Maybe you could find the image on the link & re-host for me? :)

[Hamma]

Just changed it to a link :D

[Baneblade]

The term came from that product line. Specifically the Nerf Bat, which is a real thing you can buy.

[Canaris]

lol you didn't know nerf was a real thing?:rofl:

[Kipper]

Nope, I'm not really ever in the market for toy guns tbh!

[Kyonye]

Nerf guns have been around like 30+ years... How can you not have ever heard of them?

[CyclesMcHurtz]

Nerf guns are a staple of the games industry. Many a developer has been taken out by these weapons. Many late-night battles have been fought in cubical and open-plan offices.

[Sent from the outskirts of the Oort cloud]

[J Baley]

I have a great Nerf gun. When I sprained my wrist, I used it to give the dogs exercise because I couldn't throw their ball. I have also used it on a skunk, raccoon and the odd salesman who can't read my "No Solicitors" sign. Very effective.

[Electrofreak]

The term came from the fact that weapons in games would seen to be reduced in effectiveness until they became like a Nerf gun; ergo completely harmless. I have no idea where the term was first used (I'm sure the internets have the whole story) but it stuck.

http://torwars.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nerfbat1.jpg

Then came "hitting it with the nerf bat" which was used as an analogy to describe "nerfing" something.

It's one of those verbs that arose from a brand name, just like when you google something.

[Kipper]

Yeah, I'm of course fully aware of Internet nerf guns - I just had no idea that it was based on a real brand name, but I suppose - what else could it have been?

And even for the last 30 years I've not been buying toy guns, I'm 35 and pretty sure I'd discovered computers by the time I was 5 :)

[Hamma]

I have a nerf sidearm right here at my desk. Standard issue here at my office :p

[Electrofreak]

I have a nerf sidearm right here at my desk. Standard issue here at my office :p

Never know when you might come under fire. Though, I'm more of a LongStrike guy.

http://www.hasbro.com/common/productimages/en_US/8f98e67c19b9f36910e2316341795474/8F9CD7C119B9F369101EB778B508C57B.jpg

:sniper:

That said, it's gotta go under the desk and takes time to draw and fire. So certainly an offensive weapon. I really should pick up a sidearm.

[Dudster]

I'm TR so I prefer the Tommy 20, big clip size...

[Captain1nsaneo]

I have one of these:
http://nerfipedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ultimator
Do you want to know what's written on it's side?
"CAUTION: DO NOT FIRE AT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS"
That's not a sticker, that warning is written onto the frame. The sound it makes is wonderful. I've used it as a stand-in RPG in airsoft games. Thing is intimidating as all hell and has quite a bit of recoil but it doesn't hit that hard.
They just don't make them like they used to.

Then again they now make these:
http://nerf.wikia.com/wiki/Vulcan_EBF-25
http://nerf.wikia.com/wiki/Stampede_ECS
And the ever popular Longshot (http://nerf.wikia.com/wiki/Longshot_CS-6)

And now for why I was originally going to post in this thread. Nerf guns are often upgraded by fans into amazing foam weaponry, there are even competitions.
http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?act=home
For a mod example look at this thing:
http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13659&hl=ultimator&st=0

Electro, check out this mod for a Long Strike:
http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=22767&st=0&p=317842&hl=+longstrike%20+&fromsearch=1***entry317842
Near the bottom he says it can generate welts. Try for body shots.

[Kyonye]

This is the last Nerf gun I ever owned. A one shotter with a hidden round in the grip. you have to push the Orange piece to the side to shoot the hidden round. Circa mid 90's

http://www.freewebs.com/superorange/Secret%20Shot.jpg

[Captain1nsaneo]

Ah, secret shot. I had one of those too. Great little pistol. The Ad for them had the kid surrendering only to shoot the guy sticking him up with the dart in the grip.

[Kyonye]

Ah, secret shot. I had one of those too. Great little pistol. The Ad for them had the kid surrendering only to shoot the guy sticking him up with the dart in the grip.

Yup. Good times.