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).