Grey and gray are two different spellings of the same word that refers to a neutral color between black and white. Both spellings are commonly used and accepted in the English language, but grey is more common in British English while gray is more common in American English. There are a few theories as to why the word is spelled two different ways.
Theories on the Different Spellings
Here are some of the main theories behind why grey and gray have two accepted spellings:
- Etymology – Grey and gray come from the Old English word “græg”. In the 18th century, the spellings started to diverge, with grey becoming used more in Britain and gray more in America.
- Influence of Latin – In Britain, the spelling was influenced by the Latin word “griseus” meaning gray. This led to the “e” spelling being preferred in British English.
- Webster’s Dictionary – Noah Webster’s dictionary, published in the U.S. in the early 1800s, used the spelling “gray”. This helped make that version more common in American English.
- Simplification – Some scholars think Americans adopted “gray” because they preferred spellings that were simpler and easier to spell. British English kept more complex, traditional spellings.
So in summary, grey and gray come from the same origins but started to be spelled differently in British versus American English due to factors like Latin influence, Webster’s dictionary, and a move towards simpler spelling in the U.S.
Current Usage
Currently, both spellings of the word are commonly accepted and used worldwide. However, there are some general guidelines that determine which spelling is preferred in different regions:
- Grey is more common in British English. All major British dictionaries, such as Oxford and Cambridge, list this as the preferred spelling.
- Gray is more common in American English. American dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, list this as the main spelling.
- In Canada, both spellings are common, with grey perhaps being a bit more widely used.
- In Australia and New Zealand, grey is the preferred spelling, following British usage.
- In other regions like South Asia, Africa, etc. both spellings are commonly used, with grey a bit more dominant overall.
So in most Commonwealth countries, grey is the standard while gray is standard in the United States. But both are commonly understood and used worldwide.
Usage in Different Contexts
The choice between grey and gray may also depend on the context and usage:
- In formal writing, it’s best to stick to the regional standard – grey in the UK and Commonwealth and gray in the U.S.
- In informal writing, either spelling is generally accepted in any region.
- Proper names are unlikely to change – for example, Dorian Gray retains its original spelling.
- In Canadian publications, Canadian Press recommends using grey as the standard spelling.
- Some brands choose a spelling they think suits their image – for example, Greytone vs. Graystone.
- When used in different meanings (grey hair vs. gray wolf), the accepted spelling may change.
So the main exception is in formal publications or documents, where writers should adhere to the regional spelling standard and be consistent throughout the document.
Similar Words
Grey and gray are not the only words that have multiple accepted British and American spellings. Here are a few other examples:
- Colour/color
- Centre/center
- Defence/defense
- catalogue/catalog
- Jewellery/jewelry
- organise/organize
As with grey/gray, these alternate spellings generally arose because American English simplified certain spellings and removed some letters like ‘u’ or ‘e’. British English kept the traditional, French-influenced spellings.
Summary
In summary, grey and gray are two equally valid spellings of the same word, with subtle regional preferences:
- Grey is preferred in the UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
- Gray is preferred in the US.
- Both are common globally, especially in informal use.
- The spellings have origins in Old English but diverged in the 18th-19th centuries.
- In formal writing, it’s best to use the regional standard spelling.
- Many other words have similar British/American alternate spellings.
So feel free to use either grey or gray – just be aware the spelling may depend on your audience and writing context. The main thing is to be consistent within any given text.
Conclusion
Grey and gray are two equally correct spellings of the same color, with grey more common in British English and gray more common in American English. Both have origins in Old English “græg” but started diverging in spelling in the 18th and 19th centuries due to factors like Latin influence, Webster’s dictionary, and a trend towards linguistic simplification in the U.S.
Nowadays, both spellings are widely accepted globally, especially in informal contexts. However, for formal writing it’s advisable to use the regional standard – grey in the UK and most of the Commonwealth and gray in the U.S. Some other words also have similar British/American alternate spellings, like colour/color and catalogue/catalog.
So feel free to choose grey or gray based on your audience and context – just be sure to stay internally consistent. And remember that both are equally correct and interchangeable spellings of the same neutral color!