jiffy

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

Etymology

Origin unknown; said to have been thieves’ cant for “lightning”. Also formerly written "giffy", to which a connection with gliff has been proposed. As a kind of envelope, a genericization of Jiffy bag.

In classic literature

Synonyms

blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat, instant, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, New York minute

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