File under “Graeying”: When it comes to meaning, gray is not quite gray enough.
“Grey in the U.K. and gray in the U.S.A.” seems to be the rule of two accepted spelling variants, but the differences run a bit deeper than that. The variant spellings so noted are each more common on their respective sides of the pond, granted, but a strong bit of nuance over nationality is at play. Though I’m hardly the first to point out the difference in nuance (nuence?), I agree that grey is greyer than
i88
Bill Brohaugh
gray. Look at the flattened e, almost sighing in contrast to the fuller, prouder a.
Which is why, though I accept growing gray, I rail against growing grey.