What Does GIF Stand For?

It’s a phrase used by the digital generation and beyond, and everyone seems to know what it stands for—but just in case, here’s a refresher on what GIF means.

Origin of the GIF

The GIF originates from a file type introduced in 1987 by CompuServe for their online platform. The Graphics Interchange Format, also known as GIF, was created by Steve Wilhite of CompuServe and pronounced ‘jiff’, as he tells it. In a CompuServe forum post from the time, Wilhite wrote: “It’s pronounced ‘JIF’. Not ‘GIF’.”

Uses of GIFs

GIFs have since become popular among the digital world usage. The file type, which is best known for its animation capabilities, became the medium for people to express their thoughts and feelings online. GIFs are tiny and can be seamlessly shared across all platforms including social media, messaging apps, and websites. Aside from being used as funny additions to conversations, GIFs can also be used to convey complex and deeper meanings and emotions.

Fun Facts

In 2013, a Library of Congress survey revealed GIF had been chosen as the Oxford English Dictionary’s “Word of the Year,” and GIFs are now part of popular culture. GIF-integrated apps, like Giphy and Imgur, have changed the way people find, use and create GIFs, taking them to a whole new level. As it stands, GIFs have become a language of their own, and are beloved by millions of people around the world.