Etymology of "Buff" and "Nerf" as used in video-game slang

Question

In video games, when the makers increase the power of something, it is sometimes referred to as a buff. If they decrease the power of something, it is called a nerf or a de-buff. This also applies to player abilities to temporarily increase or decrease their power.

Where do these terms come from?

etymology slang

Where do these terms come from?

Mehper C. Palavuzlar · Accepted Answer

Wikipedia gives info on origin and context of both terms:

Nerf (computer gaming):
  
  In video gaming a nerf is a change to
  a game that reduces the desirability
  or effectiveness of a particular game
  element. The term is also used as a
  verb for the act of making such a
  change.The opposite of nerf is buff
  (in one of that term's two usages).
  
  The term originated with Ultima
  Online, and refers to the Nerf brand
  of toys which are soft and less likely
  to cause serious injury.It is used in
  the context of virtual worlds such as
  MMORPGs (like UO) and MUDs, but has
  become a part of the general
  vocabulary of gamer slang and can be
  found in various places where
  adjustment of power levels from one
  version of a game to the next is
  relevant.
  
  Buff (computer gaming):
  
  Buff is a term used in some video
  games, especially MMORPGs and MUDs, to
  describe increases in the power of a
  game element. There are two main
  usages. The first describes a
  permanent (or at least indefinite)
  increase in power levels as a result
  of adjustments to game mechanics,
  usually in pursuit of game balance. In
  this usage, buff is the opposite of
  nerf. The second usage of buff
  describes an effect (usually cast as a
  spell) that temporarily enhances a
  player.

You can read the linked articles for more.

Online Etymology Dictionary has an entry for buff as well:

1570s, buffe leather, from M.Fr. buffle "buffalo" (15c., via It. from L. bufalus; see buffalo). The color term comes from the hue of buffalo hides (later ox hides); association of "hide" and "skin" led c.1600 to in the buff, and use of buff or suede to polish metal led to sense of verb "to polish with a buff" (1885). Related: Buffed;
  buffing. Buff-colored uniforms of N.Y.C. volunteer firefighters since 1820s led to 
  meaning "enthusiast" (1903).
  
  The Buffs are men and boys whose love of fires, fire-fighting and firemen is a 
  predominant characteristic. [N.Y. "Sun," Feb. 4, 1903]
  
  Adj. meaning "well-built, hunky" is from 1980s, from sense "polish, make attractive."

johnwbyrd · Answer

The Wikipedia article cut and paste is not incorrect, but neither is it very illuminating.

The noun "buff", in a game related context, is related to the verb "to buff".  The verb carries the same meaning as "to polish".  In a game, a buff is a bonus or other benefit applied to some object.  Using a verb as a noun is called nominalization, and it happens all the time in English.

The noun "nerf", which may be used equivalently as a verb, seems to have been used in print first around 2003, in a book called "Designing Virtual Worlds" by Richard Bartle.  "Now you're only making 40 UOC per pelt. What do you do? Either you accept the realities of the free market or you dash off an email to the community service team screeching 'Your STOOPID game NERFED snow wolves!!!'  Raph Koster, who's well known as a game designer, gives the following explanation of the etymology: "For the record, the term 'nerfing' entered online gaming vocabulary because of [Ultima Online]. At some point, we reduced the power of swords in melee combat, and players started complaining that they were hitting each other woth nerf swords. The rest is history."  Nerf, of course, is also a brand name for a line of foam toys such as swords.

Roobencharmer · Answer

I am bored: I started looking up what buff/nerf means and I discovered there are no real definitions for the names and acronyms. I think at these times there should.

Here is my take on it:

buff - (Binary utilized function factor)
corresponds to a power to other effects combined to be used with other functionalities of features and traits with other state or static abilities.

nerf - (narrow effect routed found)
An issues with limited in extent, amount, or scope restrictions, that was either discovered or test that has not met the typical standards of a game state that will need to be updated and corrected.

kmiklas · Answer

Buff makes me think of someone ripped--with abs--who can kick your @$$ if they're in the mood.

Nerf makes me think of those soft footballs that wimps use because they can't handle a real ball.

They also sorta rhyme; both short, one-syllable words ending in an f, and thus make great antagonists to describe this phenomenon.

Iam Enyone · Answer

Nerf is also the name of a brand of brightly-colored firearms that are aimed at the 8-12 year old demographic; as such, these toy guns were only capable of firing soft pellet darts made of foam.

So I guess you could say that by 'nerfing' a gameplay mechanic, it's in reference to making it less effective by any means possible.

Conversely, the word "buff" (which I would imagine is short for buffering), would act as the complete opposite; someone who is getting buff is building up their stats or characteristics.

user403579 · Answer

Nerf, I would assume, comes from the Nerf company who manufactured foam projectile toys and sports balls for safe, indoor play. To "nerf" an effect, is to decrease its potential destructive output.
Buff, refers to a buffer:

a device or a piece of material for reducing shock or damage due to contact
a means or device used as a cushion against shock
something that serves as a protective barrier
a person who shields another

In more general gaming terms, a buff is something that provides a beneficial status effect (usually temporarily or under certain conditions).

Etymology of "Buff" and "Nerf" as used in video-game slang

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