So Hot Right Now: GIFs

They’re flashy, fun and oftentimes hilarious. You’ve seen GIFs all over Tumblr and Buzzfeed, but now, they’re trending on Twitter and even being used in ad campaigns (Disclaimer: Images featuring twerking rabbits and horse heads may appear).

As Marc Silverstein can confirm, GIFs are…

So what exactly is a GIF? To clear up any confusion stemming from social media illiteracy, a GIF is a compressed video clip that’s repeated over and over and OVER again. They often pay homage to movies, celebrities and memes.

And to answer the question that has undoubtedly crossed your mind at some point: GIF is pronounced “JIF” as in Jiffy peanut butter, not “GIF” as in giftwrap.

Now you’re thinking, “Great! I can pronounce the word GIF. But how do I make one?” Lucky for you, there are a bunch of online GIF-creating tools that will help you on your way to becoming a pro. Photoshop is great and all, but if you’re looking for a less tech-savvy alternative, consider using free online GIF-making websites like Make A Gif and Imgflip.

Watch this demo of Marc teaching you how to create a GIF below:

Happy GIFing!