How did the word "nerf" develop to its current meaning in MMO/multiplayer games?
I can remember seeing it for a long time to have the same or similar meaning, even before the explosion of MMOs that happened with World of Warcraft.
(I used the terminology tag, as it seemed the closest fit, though I'm not actually asking what the word means.)
Best Answer
Nerf has it's own wiktionary entry (with the meaning "to water down, dumb down or especially weaken, particularly in the context of weapons in video games").
Once powerful skills, tactics or strategies that have been rendered significantly less effective by changes in game mechanics are said to be "nerfed", as these once potent weapons have since been rendered as powerful as the foam toys.