A jiffy is an actual unit of time — it equals 1/100th of a second.

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle invites a light-hearted chuckle, as we often think of a "jiffy" as a vague expression of time, like saying we'll be back in a minute. Yet, it cleverly reveals that there’s real science behind this seemingly casual term. The concept of a jiffy has its roots in the world of physics, where it was defined by Gilbert Newton Lewis, leading us to the surprising revelation that it represents a precise measurement of time — specifically, the fraction of a second it takes for light to traverse one centimeter. This transformation from colloquial to scientific is what makes the riddle so delightful; it flips our expectations and showcases the beauty of language and measurement. The term “jiffy” has been around for quite some time, and its playful use in everyday dialogue contrasts sharply with its rigorous scientific definition, creating that satisfying “aha moment” when we realize that something we casually toss around has a foundation in the laws of physics. Interestingly, the playful nature of the word “jiffy” has extended beyond science, often popping up in various contexts related to speed and efficiency, like “I’ll be there in a jiffy!” This playful ambiguity keeps our language rich and dynamic, reminding us how words can evolve and carry different meanings across different settings.