Buff, Nerf, or happy medium?

[The rAt]

If "buff" means "move up tier list" and "nerf" is the opposite, then I really don't care. The tier list means nothing to me.

And I don't need Pikachu improved to crush Fox with him.

My understanding of these terms regarding video games in general has always been that "buff" = to make better, and "nerf" = to make worse. Maybe it has something to do with tiers, but I wouldn't know. I pretty much ignore tiers, as well, since they're essentially hypotheticals based on opinions of an individual or group of individuals, having very limited ramifications on the actual game.

Anyhow, I've never needed Pika improved to crush anyone (except maybe an old college roommate who put up a **** of a fight with Marth) either, but that doesn't mean I don't want him improved.