Mind-Blowing Measurement! A 'Jiffy' Is a Real Unit of Time!

The common phrase "I'll be there in a jiffy" often implies a short, undefined wait, yet this seemingly casual term holds a surprising scientific precision. The word itself has roots in 18th-century English slang, possibly originating as a term for lightning or a fleeting moment, suggesting swiftness [cite: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,