Don't that just make life easier?
Now, I'd like to find a nerf bar. You know, one of those ball things a trailer attaches to. Anyone making a "Miata Nerf Bar Trailer Package"? Maybe one that only works when the trunk is open?
Feh.
miker
Don't that just make life easier?
Now, I'd like to find a nerf bar. You know, one of those ball things a trailer attaches to. Anyone making a "Miata Nerf Bar Trailer Package"? Maybe one that only works when the trunk is open?
Feh.
miker
Jeez, I went searching for a photo of nerf bars, and discovered the term is now being applied to all manner of spurious chrome gee-gaws. Here's a cartoon of a VW with real nerf bars:
As for all the running board-thingies and footrests, calling them "nerf bars" is like calling a clutch pedal pad a "tire" because it's made of rubber.
I must admit the phrase is new to me (never much into the hotrod thing). Any sources on the etymology of "nerf bar"?
40 years ago, at least, "nerf" referred to the sort of minor collision typical of close, fender-to-fender racing. "He nerfed me braking into Turn Six, but it barely upset my line."
Common usage today only reflects ignorance of its origins...not to mention of the word "etymology."
Wasn't it used with toys - foam stuff that would collide with furniture in a non-damaging manner... "nerf football", etc?
miker
Which uncovers the question of why a minor bump was called a "nerf". ;)
One site I found mentioned that before it referred to the largely cosmetic bumpers, "nerf bars" were the "gaurd rails" put on open wheel racers to protect the tires from other cars.
Yea, I wondered if there was a connection, but couldn't find anything to indicate that there was.
That was a much-later development.
I want that!
(where do the windows go?)
-- Steve McMahon Green '07 Sport
If you do not mind some pronounced dings from the non-gull-wing cars you parked next to.
Leon
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