Graphics Interchange Format. GIFs are image files that are compressed to reduce transfer
time. The proper pronounciation of the acronym is a soft "
g" sound:
like JIF.
The creators of the format, Bob Berry & Steve Wilhite, claim that this soft "g" sound is used. At some point one of them said, "Choosy programmers choose GIF," a play on the peanut
butter commercials where "Choosy moms choose Jif." It can also use multiple images for animated effects (animated GIFs).