skiffy

English

Etymology

Phonetic spelling of sci-fi to capture deliberate mispronunciation (with "sc" being read as /sk/ and "i" being read as short vowel /i/ instead of diphthong /aɪ/).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈskɪfi/
• Rhymes: -ɪfi

Noun

skiffy (uncountable)

1. (fandom slang, usually derogatory or humorous) Low-quality science fiction.
   • 1984, David Hartwell, “The Golden Age of Science Fiction is Twelve”, in Age of Wonders, →ISBN, page 13:

     The science fiction reader sneers at fake SF, artificially produced film tie-in novels and stories, most SF films, most TV SF. This he calls sci-fi (or "skiffy")—junk no right-thinking omnivore or chronic should read, watch, or support.

   • 1989 July, Bruce Sterling, SF Eye, number 5, page 77:

     Many of the best new writers seem openly ashamed of their backward Skiffy nationality.

   • 1993, Peter Nicholls, The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction‎^[1], →ISBN, page 1079:

     Around 1978 the critic Susan Wood and others began pronouncing the term "skiffy". In 1980s-1990s usage "skiffy", which sounds friendlier than "sci fi", has perhaps for that reason come to be less condemnatory. Skiffy is colourful, sometimes entertaining, junk sf: Star Wars is skiffy.

References

• Jeff Prucher, editor (2007), “skiffy”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, pages 186–187.
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “skiffy n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.