Larry's downfall was using a "blaster" against a guy with a rocket launcher. A real rocket launcher. |
Ask any parent, girlfriend, or any casual users who are not savvy with the official Nerf line, and they'll probably just call them toy "guns". Fans are quick to take up the term and defend it to the
You only wish it was a REAL car... |
Interestingly enough though, Nerf N-Force melee attack toys are actually called "swords". Not "thrust and parry rods" or something like that. For some reason, they feel more comfortable with referring them as what they actually are made to resemble- swords, axes and maces. And they're not made to look like any SPECIFIC sword or axe or mace (assuming there are specific examples of maces!).. just.. swords, axes and maces in general.
My guess would be the real reason why Nerf do not want to call their line guns is because they're trying to distance themselves away from all things normally associated with guns- killing, injury, death, violence and lots of other nasty things. They're pushing the dart tag, role play and outdoors fun aspect rather than the "kill kill die die" tilt. Which of course makes very good sense!
Foam dart blasters are not the only ones shying away from the term "gun" though. In the Lazer tag world, they're called "taggers" (which is a term I quite like..obviously). With water guns, they've adopted the "soaker" term, or a similar "water blaster" name. Even in other arenas, like.. the marshmallow wars world(?).. they too adopt the 'blaster' name:)
I'm more than happy to not refer to them as "guns". But lets face it, as Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". We all know what they are meant to look like- I just don't think it's a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
And it could have been worse- Nerf could have called them "shooters" or something dorky like that:P
And it could have been worse- Nerf could have called them "shooters" or something dorky like that:P
Man! This Is Exactly What I Mean! Those geeks on the facebook fan page just won't shut up!
ReplyDeleteWho cares what they're called!? Guns is what I say and it isn't gonna change.:p
ReplyDeleteHahaha, that's a very literary rant :)
ReplyDeleteAll true. We call them blasters on the facebook page because *Nerf wants us to*. Also we tend to do it anywhere in public (or that is publicly visible), because the last thing you want is someone to hear "Yeah, I keep all my guns under my bed in my dorm room" and call the cops.
ReplyDeleteBut in casual conversation, plenty of us call them "guns" for the reasons Pocket says.
What? If he's got a Recon he's sure to beat any dude with a missile launcher's butt :)
ReplyDeleteNo, you need a Stampede for that... Recons only work against M-16s.
ReplyDeleteI had only the Furyfire set for several years. Now,I'm a serious Nerfer and I write this post wearing a tactical vest and holding an Alpha Trooper. I only had the Furyfires because I didn't like "guns". Now that I'm more into Nerf I call them blasters. I defend this to the foam, as Pocket said.
ReplyDeleteI call them blasters because that's the correct term the company uses and I want to be professional.
ReplyDelete