There are some English words whose spelling depends on where you are in the world. In the United States, the color that is a mixture of black and white is called “gray,” but across the pond, it’s spelled “grey.” That’s because British English uses the older version of the word, which first appeared in Middle English, descending from the early Old English “greig.” The spelling variant “gray” gained popularity in the United States in the 18th century, perhaps inspired by the Scottish spelling of the word, which underwent several historical variations of its own (gra, grae, graye) before settling on gray.
In most cases, “gray” and “grey” are interchangeable, even in specialized terms and compound words, including “grayscale/greyscale,” “graying/greying,” and “gray/grey whales.” However, there are a few exceptions that always use one spelling. Brand names retain their specific spelling and should not be altered. For example, “Grey Poupon” (a Dijon mustard) and “Grey Goose” (a vodka brand) are both French companies, and as such, they use the British-influenced “grey.”
Beyond brand names, a few well-known terms consistently use one specific spelling. “Earl Grey tea” is a type of black tea named after Charles, the second Earl Grey and British prime minister during the 1830s. The greyhound dog breed similarly retains only one spelling. It originates from the Old Norse word “grey,” meaning “bitch” (“a female dog”) — it was not intended to reference the color of the breed, whose coats come in a range of shades.
In physics, the spelling “gray” is used to refer to a standardized unit of the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation, which corresponds to 1 joule per kilogram. This unit, named in the 1970s after English radiobiologist Louis H. Gray, is a reminder that proper nouns retain their original spelling, regardless of regional preferences. However, keep in mind that, in most instances, whether you use “gray” or “grey” depends on geography and context. When in doubt, choose the version most suitable for your audience’s location.
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