(Image source: Mashable )     BY ELIZABETH HAGEDORN     We now have before us the answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries — how to pronounce the word GIF.  Or is it GIF? The inventor of the graphic interchange format Steve Wilhite nabbed a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Webbys. Here’s his five-word long acceptance speech... and, watch carefully. (Via CNN )    “It’s pronounced JIF not GIF."  (Via YouTube / TheWebbyAwards )    There you have it. Wilhite launched the GIF in 1987, and the quick, animated format has since taken off... (Via PBS )    ...spurring endless Tumblr pages devoted to things like these dancing poodles, this needlepointing cat, and some of Tyra Banks’s more horrifying facial contortions. (Via Buzzfeed )    While some may rejoice that the giff/jiff debacle is finally over, a writer at CNET wonders: could this be the start of a downward spiral? Will Americans begin questioning their every word? Words like: “‘water’ (it actually has a ‘t’), ‘Wimbledon’ (why do so many Americans believe it has a ‘t’ near the end?) and ‘herbs’ (can you see the ‘h’ at the beginning?)”   Believe it or not, this also spells bad news for the White House. Take a look at this picture posted to the administration’s Tumblr account, seemingly declaring the pronunciation as with a hard G.   So, to believe the White House decree or take the inventor at his word?  Where do you stand on the jiff/giff debate?   Perhaps the best answer lies with this GIF. (Via Gawker )