Poll of the Day > The inventor of the GIF has died

Topic List
Page List: 1, 2
KodyKeir
03/24/22 5:01:17 PM
#1:


How do you pronounce GIF?





https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/the-man-who-invented-gifs-has-died-1.5832869

GIF inventor Stephen Wilhite dies at 74
The Associated Press, Tali Arbel
2 minutes
Stephen Wilhite, the inventor of the internet-popular short-video format, the GIF, has died. He was 74.
His wife, Kathaleen, said Thursday in a phone interview that he died of COVID-19 on March 14.
Wilhite, who lived in Milford, Ohio, won a Webby lifetime achievement award in 2013 for inventing the GIF, which decades after its creation became omnipresent in memes and on social media, often used as a cheeky representation of a cultural moment.

Wilhite was working at CompuServe in 1987 when he invented the GIF. "I saw the format I wanted in my head and then I started programming," he told The New York Times in 2013, saying the first image was an airplane and insisting that the file had only one pronunciation - a soft "G," like Jif peanut butter. Those using the hard "G," as in "got" or "given," "are wrong," he said. "End of story."
In that interview, he said the '90s-era dancing baby GIF is a favourite of his.
"There's way more to him than inventing GIF," Kathaleen Wilhite said of her husband, who loved trains, with a room dedicated to them in the basement of their house with "enormous train tracks," as well as taking camping trips. Still, even after he retired in 2001, "he never stopped programming," she said.


---
Why didn't you DODGE‽‽‽
Quoting me will trigger the profanity filter, Not Joking. I've been Scunthorped! Consider yourself warned.
... Copied to Clipboard!
ParanoidObsessive
03/24/22 5:30:56 PM
#2:


KodyKeir posted...
A soft "G," like Jif peanut butter. Those using the hard "G," as in "got" or "given," "are wrong," he said. "End of story."

He's always been objectively wrong, because you don't get to change the rules of English based on your own whims. His preference isn't actually how the language works (which is why so many people refer to it the other way).

If he wanted it to be pronounced like Jif, he should have spelled it Jif. You know, the way the peanut butter does.

---
"Wall of Text'D!" --- oldskoolplayr76
"POwned again." --- blight family
... Copied to Clipboard!
EvilMegas
03/24/22 5:34:53 PM
#3:


ParanoidObsessive posted...
If he wanted it to be pronounced like Jif, he should have spelled it Jif. You know, the way the peanut butter does.



---
The first person to be fully vaccinated on GameFaQs.
Boobs are life, ass is hometown Kenichiro Takaki.
... Copied to Clipboard!
adjl
03/24/22 5:35:40 PM
#4:


ParanoidObsessive posted...
He's always been objectively wrong, because you don't get to change the rules of English based on your own whims.

*Laughs in Shakespeare*

---
This is my signature. It exists to keep people from skipping the last line of my posts.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Entity13
03/24/22 5:54:20 PM
#5:


It reminds me of the time someone said "Morons choose 'jif.'"

---
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/EntityXIII/entityfn7.jpg
... Copied to Clipboard!
Nichtcrawler X
03/24/22 6:16:20 PM
#6:


Dutch soft G, like the Greek chi. (Or say the ch in Loch). As I think by soft G you mean like the dj sound and by J the sound English speakers would be more likely to write as y?

---
Official Teetotaller of PotD
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain!
... Copied to Clipboard!
Hejiru
03/24/22 6:18:59 PM
#7:


ParanoidObsessive posted...
He's always been objectively wrong, because you don't get to change the rules of English based on your own whims. His preference isn't actually how the language works (which is why so many people refer to it the other way).

If he wanted it to be pronounced like Jif, he should have spelled it Jif. You know, the way the peanut butter does.

Exactly.

By the way, have you seen my Gentle Giant Giraffe?

---
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Ogurisama
03/24/22 6:19:00 PM
#8:


adjl posted...
*Laughs in Shakespeare*
Shakespeare didnt change the rules, thats how the rules were back then.
The rules evolve over time, as speaking paterns change.

---
http://cdn-android.apptap.com/img/870/mobi.colortrilogy.bitlink/267135850.png
https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/10/5/uv4r7nGyrE6ylt2lHGWpiQ2.gif
... Copied to Clipboard!
sveksii
03/24/22 6:19:49 PM
#9:


ParanoidObsessive posted...
He's always been objectively wrong, because you don't get to change the rules of English based on your own whims. His preference isn't actually how the language works (which is why so many people refer to it the other way).
Generally words where g is followed by e/i/y are a soft g outside of words of Germanic origin. And there is no rule for acronyms to follow the pronunciation of the words that they were derived from. So to say that he's objectively wrong is pseudo-intellectual bullshit.
... Copied to Clipboard!
KodyKeir
03/24/22 6:21:28 PM
#10:


Nichtcrawler X posted...
Dutch soft G, like the Greek chi. (Or say the ch in Loch). As I think by soft G you mean like the dj sound and by J the sound English speakers would be more likely to write as y?

Um, yes?

(honestly I was just splitting the vote between the Jif pronouncers, but I like your explanation more)

---
Why didn't you DODGE‽‽‽
Quoting me will trigger the profanity filter, Not Joking. I've been Scunthorped! Consider yourself warned.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Nichtcrawler X
03/24/22 6:24:05 PM
#11:


I could have just said "Soft G, but not your Soft G".

---
Official Teetotaller of PotD
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain!
... Copied to Clipboard!
streamofthesky
03/24/22 6:33:52 PM
#12:


Hard G

The G in graphical isn't a soft G. Dude was wrong and the people have spoken.
Plus it just sounds better.
... Copied to Clipboard!
adjl
03/24/22 7:03:23 PM
#13:


I once convinced a whole table of people I was out for drinks with that the reason he went with a soft G was because the first gif he created was taken from a video clip of a giraffe and he liked the punny portmanteau of "giraphics." I then told them the whole thing was a lie, because deliberately misleading people past the point of it being funny is bad, but that was some grade A BS delivery. Every one of them bought it entirely.

---
This is my signature. It exists to keep people from skipping the last line of my posts.
... Copied to Clipboard!
captpackrat
03/24/22 7:09:05 PM
#14:


It's the Graphics Interchange Format, not the Giraffe Interchange Format.

---
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
Minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/24/22 7:11:52 PM
#15:


Jiff always

The U in SCUBA stands for Underwater

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
adjl
03/24/22 7:12:22 PM
#16:


And CERN is Conseil europen pour la recherche nuclaire, but nobody calls it "KERN." The pronunciation of acronyms doesn't necessarily have to reflect the pronunciation of the original letters.

---
This is my signature. It exists to keep people from skipping the last line of my posts.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Hejiru
03/24/22 7:21:52 PM
#17:


captpackrat posted...
It's the Graphics Interchange Format, not the Giraffe Interchange Format.

The P in JPEG stands for Photographic.

That's why it's pronounced jay-feg, right?

---
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Lokarin
03/24/22 8:52:42 PM
#18:


gif

Cuz Jif would be pronounced like Yif.

I don't like them "j" g's... like Generous or Generate or Gene or ... wait there's lots of j g's

...

GOPHER

---
"Salt cures Everything!"
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Nirakolov/videos
... Copied to Clipboard!
Zazabar
03/24/22 9:11:29 PM
#19:


Rip in Peace

Hard G


---
http://steamcommunity.com/id/killer2001
You'll see...I'll still be Andy's favorite toy. >:)
... Copied to Clipboard!
Buddyblade
03/24/22 9:11:54 PM
#20:


I say it with a g as in grape

---
Is "That buddy" in video games, Metal blades from Mega Man broken beyond measure, MEGA MAN 12 WHEN
DEBG member
... Copied to Clipboard!
Entity13
03/24/22 9:20:29 PM
#21:


Lokarin posted...


Cuz Jif would be pronounced like Yif.


Some folks on here would be into such an animated Jif, and I wouldn't judge.

---
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/EntityXIII/entityfn7.jpg
... Copied to Clipboard!
Nichtcrawler X
03/24/22 9:43:45 PM
#22:


adjl posted...
And CERN is Conseil europen pour la recherche nuclaire, but nobody calls it "KERN." The pronunciation of acronyms doesn't necessarily have to reflect the pronunciation of the original letters.

To a Dutchman, "KERN" actually makes it sound like they came up with the acronym first and only decided what it would stand for afterwards.

---
Official Teetotaller of PotD
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain!
... Copied to Clipboard!
keyblader1985
03/24/22 9:45:54 PM
#23:


He was a jood man.

---
Official King of PotD
You only need one T-Rex to make the point, though. ~ Samus Sedai
... Copied to Clipboard!
Entity13
03/24/22 9:47:22 PM
#24:


Nichtcrawler X posted...
To a Dutchman, "KERN" actually makes it sound like they came up with the acronym first and only decided what it would stand for afterwards.

I'm sure there's a kern-al of truth to that. I'm not sorry.

---
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/EntityXIII/entityfn7.jpg
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/24/22 9:47:37 PM
#25:


Entity13 posted...
Some folks on here would be into such an animated Jif, and I wouldn't judge.
A Yiff Jiff

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Entity13
03/24/22 9:49:51 PM
#26:


https://media2.giphy.com/media/xT9IgHCTfp8CRshfQk/200.gif

---
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/EntityXIII/entityfn7.jpg
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/24/22 9:53:31 PM
#27:


Yes

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Entity13
03/24/22 10:31:08 PM
#28:


Metalsonic66 posted...
Yes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mjf2pg4MFQ

---
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/EntityXIII/entityfn7.jpg
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/24/22 11:38:36 PM
#29:


It's funnier if you say it that way

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Sahuagin
03/25/22 12:27:19 AM
#30:


I say 'jif' outloud but seem to alternate in my head

Hejiru posted...
By the way, have you seen my Gentle Giant Giraffe?
another example learned from a particular game is Gaol which is an alternate spelling of Jail (pronounced the same).

---
The truth basks in scrutiny.
http://i.imgur.com/GMouTGs.jpg http://projecteuler.net/profile/Sahuagin.png
... Copied to Clipboard!
Krazy_Kirby
03/25/22 3:42:35 AM
#31:


graphics, not jraphics

---
Kill From The Shadows.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiot
... Copied to Clipboard!
GGuirao13
03/25/22 3:49:54 AM
#32:


"Jif", as the man himself confirmed.

---
Donald J. Trump--proof against government intelligence.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Wanded
03/25/22 3:54:32 AM
#33:


rip

he shall be remembered as a master troll

---
I stand with Israel. #FightAntisemitism
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/25/22 4:24:26 AM
#34:


https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/2/0/AAFUswAADEGU.jpg

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Krazy_Kirby
03/25/22 4:29:07 AM
#35:


GGuirao13 posted...
"Jif", as the man himself confirmed.


the English language says otherwise

---
Kill From The Shadows.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiot
... Copied to Clipboard!
Hejiru
03/25/22 7:49:29 AM
#36:


Krazy_Kirby posted...
graphics, not jraphics

jpeg
scuba
laser

---
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Fam_Fam
03/25/22 8:38:50 AM
#37:


Krazy_Kirby posted...
the English language says otherwise

colonel
laugh
... Copied to Clipboard!
Conner4REAL
03/25/22 8:49:29 AM
#38:


I call it a Fig
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/0/2/AAdHsuAADEHm.png

---
"I pet my dog I don't eat it" ~ Lemone
... Copied to Clipboard!
Conner4REAL
03/25/22 8:52:09 AM
#39:


Krazy_Kirby posted...
the English language says otherwise
So the the man himself was illiterate?

---
"I pet my dog I don't eat it" ~ Lemone
... Copied to Clipboard!
fishy071
03/26/22 1:13:43 AM
#40:


With a hard g.

---
"You don't need a reason to help people." (Zidane Tribal of FFIX)
... Copied to Clipboard!
Zareth
03/26/22 1:32:25 AM
#41:


The G stands for graphics. You don't say "jraphics."

---
In my opinion, all slavery is wrong, even the really fancy kind - Mead
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/26/22 7:39:20 AM
#42:


Zareth posted...
The G stands for graphics. You don't say "jraphics."
Metalsonic66 posted...
The U in SCUBA stands for Underwater


---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Revelation34
03/26/22 10:17:17 AM
#43:


^ Doesn't matter.

---
Gamertag: Kegfarms, BF code: 2033480226, Treasure Cruise code 318,374,355, Steam: Kegfarms
... Copied to Clipboard!
Black_Crusher
03/26/22 10:38:33 AM
#44:


I think not having a gif of them lowering a casket into the ground was a lost opportunity, TC.

---
Equin 2: The Warren Peace- Out now! (Demo available)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1630690
... Copied to Clipboard!
Yellow
03/26/22 11:21:41 AM
#45:


Who's going to tell you it's not a hard G now?

---
why am I even here
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/26/22 11:44:07 AM
#46:


Revelation34 posted...
^ Doesn't matter.
It absolutely matters lol

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Revelation34
03/26/22 12:07:15 PM
#47:


Metalsonic66 posted...

It absolutely matters lol


Nah.

---
Gamertag: Kegfarms, BF code: 2033480226, Treasure Cruise code 318,374,355, Steam: Kegfarms
... Copied to Clipboard!
Blue_Thunder
03/26/22 12:15:51 PM
#48:


Revelation34 posted...

Nah.

It's one of many examples showing that the English language gives no shits about 'rules'.

---
aka Thunderjay - Jenshin Team: https://i.imgur.com/swN1vso.png
Resident Synthwave enjoyer.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Muscles
03/26/22 12:16:22 PM
#49:


The fact that you have to ask "is it pronounced gif or jif?" Should tell you something

---
Muscles
Chicago Bears | Chicago Blackhawks | Chicago Bulls | Chicago Cubs | NIU Huskies
... Copied to Clipboard!
Metalsonic66
03/26/22 12:29:16 PM
#50:


Revelation34 posted...
Nah.
So by your logic the "Graphics" part of Gif doesn't matter.

---
PSN/Steam ID: Metalsonic_69
Big bombs go kabang.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Topic List
Page List: 1, 2