[Vocabulary] in a jif

[englishhobby]

While looking at some cartoons for English learners I found one in which the expression "in a jif" is used. I couldn't find it in a dictionary, it seems that the expression is not widely used. As far as I understand, it means "in no time". Is "in a jif" used these days? (The robot says: Affirmative. Be there in a jif" after the boy asks him to come to help).

 

[Raymott]

It means a "jiffy". I haven't heard "jif", but I suppose it must be used.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/jiffy

 

[emsr2d2]

I've never seen or heard it shortened before. "I'll be there in a jiffy" is still used in BrE, although it might sound outdated to some people. We regularly shorten other versions though, to "I'll be there in a mo" (moment) and "I'll be there in a sec" (second). Strangely, though, we don't shorten "minute" in "I'll be there in a minute", although some people say "I'll be two mins".

 

[Rover_KE]

In the shortened form of 'jiffy', the double f should be retained: jiff.

 

[probus]

It is used. I have both heard and seen "in a jif", but not with a double f.

 

[Rover_KE]

I have both heard and seen "in a jif", but not with a double f.

Vice versa for me.

 

[emsr2d2]

I was always under the impression that the cleaning product now known as "Cif", which used to be called "Jif" in the UK, was called that because they were trying to suggest that it cleaned fast. I thought they were implying "You can clean your house in a jiffy with Jif". On that basis, I would expect the shortened version to have just one "f". That doesn't change the fact that I've never seen "in a jif" used in BrE.

 

[Tdol]

It is used. I have both heard and seen "in a jif", but not with a double f.

I haven't seen it with a single or double f, or heard it. It might be regional.

 

[Raymott]

It's apparently a type of peanut butter in the US.

 

[probus]

It's apparently a type of peanut butter in the US.

That is true. But although Jif has been the brand name for a long time, some people still refer to the stuff as Jiffy Peanut Butter. I am now convinced that jiffy and jif are equivalent in US English.

 

[JMurray]

I recall "in a jiff" as being quite common when I was growing up in New Zealand, and I'm sure I've heard it in Australia. I've just checked with an Australian who agrees. I believe it's less frequently used nowadays in both regions and probably sounds slightly dated.

The examples on fraze.it are all US English. At least two of them are dated reasonably recently at 2008.
https://fraze.it/n_search.jsp?q="in+a+jiff"&l=0

 

[Skrej]

They two are equivalent in AmE, although I honestly don't know about the spelling on the shortened version. I can't recall having actually seen either written, although I've heard both.

I don't know how current the expression still is. It might be regional, I'm not sure. It's not one I personally use, simply because I tend to use 'second' or 'sec' instead.

As for the peanut butter, I've never really cared for that brand. It always tastes a bit too....processed, I guess? Many years ago I got hooked on freshly ground peanut butter, until about 5 or so years ago when I discovered almond butter, and then, luxury upon luxuries, cashew butter.

 

[Tdol]

I've never seen or heard it shortened before. "I'll be there in a jiffy" is still used in BrE, although it might sound outdated to some people.

I think the shortened form was used a bit back in the days when the expression was more common than it is today.