How Do You Pronounce GIF? Softly, Says Its Creator

What is this? No, I know it’s a panda falling out of a box. But what is the thing called that’s showing the panda falling out of a box? Right, right. It’s an animated GIF (Graphics I...
How Do You Pronounce GIF? Softly, Says Its Creator
Written by Josh Wolford
  • What is this?

    No, I know it’s a panda falling out of a box. But what is the thing called that’s showing the panda falling out of a box? Right, right. It’s an animated GIF (Graphics Interchange Format).

    Wait, did you say “GIF” as in “Good lord that’s a cute panda” or “GIF” as in “Gee whiz, that’s adorable?”

    The topic of much debate since the proliferation of the animated GIF has been exactly how to say it. Hard “G” or soft “G?” According to the man who created the GIF – there’s really no debate.

    “The Oxford English Dictionary accepts both pronunciations,” Mr. Wilhite said. “They are wrong. It is a soft ‘G,’ pronounced ‘jif.’ End of story,” Steve Wilhite told the New York Times.

    There you have it. If you disagree with the creator, then you’re wrong. So, stop debating an get back to work making cat GIFs, with a soft “G” of course

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