'Back in a jiffy'

Posted by Bruce Kahl on March 20, 2001

In Reply to: 'Back in a jiffy' posted by Chris Allen on March 20, 2001

: Does anyone know where 'back in a jiffy' originates from? I heard it on Kenan and Kel this morning and I have been pondering ever since.

Webster has it as origin unknown dating back to 1790 or so.
There is a french word, "vif", which means "sharp" but I think that is pushing it a bit.

• 'Back in a jiffy' R. Berg 03/21/01