A jiffy can mean several different time intervals:
- A short period of time or a moment. The origin of the word is unknown, but is believed to have first appeared in 1779.
- In computing, the duration of one tick of the system timer interrupt. Typically, this time is 0.01 seconds.
- In physics, the time taken for light to travel one centimetre (sometimes one foot, or sometimes the width of a nucleon) - see speed of light
- In electronics, the time between alternating current power cycles (1/60 or 1/50 of a second) - see alternating current
- An indeterminate amount of time from a few seconds to forever.
References: FOLDOC, Jargon File,
WhatIs.com
Jiffy is also a line of baking mixes, manufactured by the Chelsea Milling Company, based in Chelsea, MI. The Jiffy line includes muffin mixes, pie crust mixes, and cake frosting mixes.
Reference: Chelsea Milling Company Home Page
