General
riffed
What does riffed mean?
Informal workplace verb meaning to have been let go as part of a reduction in force, rather than fired for performance. Derived from the acronym RIF.
"Half his cohort got riffed in the same afternoon, no warning, badges deactivated by five."
Origin
Verb formed from the acronym RIF ('reduction in force').
Frequently asked questions
What does 'riffed' mean?
It means to be laid off as part of a reduction in force, not fired for poor performance.
Where does 'riffed' come from?
It's a verb formed from the acronym RIF, which stands for 'reduction in force'.
Is being riffed the same as being fired?
Not quite. Being riffed refers to layoffs tied to broader cuts, whereas being fired usually implies performance or conduct issues.
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