<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Sci Fi, sometimes spelled SciFi or Sci fi or Sci-fi, is a short form reference to Science Fiction.

The term itself was invented in 1954 by literary agent, fan and amateur wordsmith, Forrest J. Ackerman. At the time he considered it a play on the term "Hi-Fi" (high fidelity sound), which was cutting edge technology in the mid-1950s. Ackerman intended it to be used to refer to all forms of speculative fiction.

Over the years, Sci Fi's meaning in popular culture has changed to refer almost exclusively to movies and TV with science fiction genre-related themes. Among some in fandom, the term is often used in a derogatory and dismissive way. Some purposely mispronounce the term as "skiffy" and use it to refer to poor quality science fiction and fantasy. Many committed Science Fiction readers refuse to use the term at all, preferring the more generic initialism, "SF."

The SCI FI Channel uses the term as an umbrella classification which encompasses art both high and low and also includes subjects such as UFOs, ETs and the Paranormal, which many people regard as nonfiction subjects.