Nerf (1949, 1969)

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NERF

   "Nerf" is in the HISTORICAL DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN SLANG from 1952, and
"nerf bar" from 1953.  OED has 1953.
   A long "drag racing jargon" post is coming in a few minutes.


   November 1949, HOT ROD MAGAZINE, pg. 32, col. 3 (letters):
_NERFING BARS_
   Can you fellows tell me what the dickens a "nerfing bar" is?  Some of your
hot rod slang is rather crude.
Robert J. Whittier
Stoughton, Massachusetts
   A nerfing bar is a bumper-like affair used on the front of track jobs as
shown above (arrow).  Some are fancy, some plain.  The one shown above is
average.--ED.


   Here's the earliest NERF trademark:

Word Mark   NERF
Goods and Services  (EXPIRED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: LIGHTWEIGHT CHILDREN'S
PLAY BALL. FIRST USE: 19691209. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19691209
Mark Drawing Code   (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number   72347458
Filing Date December 31, 1969
Registration Number 0902547
Registration Date   November 17, 1970
Owner   (REGISTRANT) PARKER BROTHERS, INC. CORPORATION NEVADA 190 BRIDGE ST.
SALEM MASSACHUSETTS 01970(LAST LISTED OWNER) TONKA CORPORATION CORPORATION BY
MERGER WITH MINNESOTA 6000 CLEARWATER DRIVE MINNETONKA MINNESOTA 55343
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record  STEVEN R. ANDREWS
Type of Mark    TRADEMARK
Register    PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text  SECT 15.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 19900822
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD