What is the difference between "grey" and "gray"?

[Curious]

On this webpage it's argued that 'grey' is the British and 'gray' the American spelling (when referring to the colour). Also the Oxford Dictionary of English gives 'gray' as an American variant spelling of 'grey'. Interestingly, however, in Edith Wharton's works the spelling 'grey' is used notwithstanding the author's American origin. And Oscar Wilde, a Briton, sticks by 'gray'. Has the British spelling turned American or vice versa over the years or what is this about?

[Yankee]

Hi Curious

Are those the only two authors you've discovered where the spelling of gray/grey doesn't seem to match the nationality?
I think if you know a little something about the backgrounds of these two authors, you might be able to come up with a theory or two that would explain this "shocking" spelling phenomenon.

The accepted and standard spelling in the US is gray.

But I'm in favor of eliminating the spelling confusion altogether --- by changing the spelling internationally to greigh. Think there's a chance?

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Guest]

[Jamie (K)]

[Yankee]

Glad to finally discover that my school system must have been sub-standard.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Jamie (K)]