Jiffy

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