I like the idea of using unrelated words (gerbil, gym) as linguistic support, because by that logic, I can cite giant and gigantic and call it a "Jife." (Which I won't actually do, since I remain convinced that the hard G is correct.)
Man, speaking of blowing a synapse. You. Right now. You just blew one. And then the burned synaptic tendrils extended down to your keyboard and wrote this post.
I regularly pronounce it with a soft G. And I do not give a shit if you pronounce it with a hard one. And I don't think Wilhite's decision is sacrosanct. Pronounce it how you like. This is the internet. You don't have to listen to people say these things. You just have to read them, and then you can pronounce them however you like in your head. This is only a problem for you because you have a podcast (and/or friends - GREAT! - good for you) and you say words like this outloud and then people mansplain to you how they're supposed to be pronounced. But alas, you have posting privileges on this blog, and you're under the delusion that these thoughts of yours serve an important function. But I assure you that for most people IT DOESN'T MATTER, and it never will.
Bottom line: Jif is smoother. It feels better to say. Gif is chunky.
Related comment: it totally blew my mind when I heard someone pronounce FAQ as "Eff Ay Qu" rather than "fack."
The only people I've really know to pronounce it "jif" have been old, weirdos, or old weirdos.
I regularly pronounce it with a soft G. And I do not give a shit if you pronounce it with a hard one. And I don't think Wilhite's decision is sacrosanct. Pronounce it how you like. This is the internet. You don't have to listen to people say these things. You just have to read them, and then you can pronounce them however you like in your head. This is only a problem for you because you have a podcast (and/or friends - GREAT! - good for you) and you say words like this outloud and then people mansplain to you how they're supposed to be pronounced. But alas, you have posting privileges on this blog, and you're under the delusion that these thoughts of yours serve an important function. But I assure you that for most people IT DOESN'T MATTER, and it never will.
Bottom line: Jif is smoother. It feels better to say. Gif is chunky.
Related comment: it totally blew my mind when I heard someone pronounce FAQ as "Eff Ay Qu" rather than "fack."
I appreciate the chunky/smooth joke at the end, too.
Not directed at you, Bobby. Just sorta came out of me.