Per CNN, in 2013, Wilhite set the record straight about how to pronounce "GIF." When he won a Webby Award for his digital contribution, he delivered a five-word acceptance speech that settled a years-long debate once and for all: "It’s pronounced JIF, not GIF." The pronunciation of the graphics format is supposed to sound like the peanut butter brand, Jif.

Many fans and fellow computer engineering colleagues objected to this pronunciation, taking to Twitter to voice their displeasure. Web designer Dan Cederholm tweeted, "Graphics Interchange Format. Graphics. Not Jraphics. #GIF #hardg." October Jones, a Tumblr influencer, wrote, “So instead of GIF, we’ve got to say JIF? Yeah, right. And I suppose those animals with long necks are called ‘JIRAFFES.’"