Words at Play : 10 Words With Confusing Pronunciations
#2: GIF
Pronunciation:
\ˈgif, ˈjif\
Definition:
: a computer file format for the compression and storage of digital video images
About the Word:
GIF, standing for graphic interchange format, is one of the two most commonly used graphics formats on the Internet (the other is JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group).
Debate over the pronunciation of GIF has raged, even after Steve Wilhite, the Compuserve employee credited with inventing the GIF in 1987, announced GIF should have a soft "G." But the hard "G" sound remains popular; its proponents include President Obama.
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