Linguists: any difference between grey and gray?

Question

Please dont say the spelling, I already thought of that one LOL.

Answer 1

"grey" was what the british used to spell the word back in the 20th century. it's also commonly used by Canadians as well. but there really is no difference except preference by english users. Americans will tend to use "gray".

there is a theory that "grey" tends to carry a positive connotation while "gray" is more of a gloomy description.

Answer 2

It appears that the "gray" varient appeared later, as an American
English varient of "grey". Both have mostly the same many meanings:

"gray1 also grey ( P ) Pronunciation Key (gr)
adj. gray·er, also grey·er gray·est, grey·est
Of or relating to an achromatic color of any lightness between the
extremes of black and white.

Dull or dark: a gray, rainy afternoon.
Lacking in cheer; gloomy: a gray mood.

Having gray hair; hoary.
Old or venerable.
Intermediate in character or position, as with regard to a subjective
matter: the gray area between their differing opinions on the film's
morality.

n.
An achromatic color of any lightness between the extremes of black and
white.
An object or animal of the color gray.
often Gray
A member of the Confederate Army in the Civil War.
The Confederate Army. "

Dictionary.com
[ http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=gray ]

So yes, "grey" is a color, and was always so. Us Americans had to go
and be different with "gray."


A few meanings are unique, however, to the "gray" varient. For
example:

"gray
n. Abbr. Gy
The SI unit for the energy absorbed from ionizing radiation, equal to
one joule per kilogram."

Answer 3

"Grey" is the Canadian/British spelling, "gray" is the American spelling, the colour referred to by each is the same.

Answer 4

Grey (spelled with an e) is an adjective.

Answer 5

No.

Gray is a more recent spelling