grey duck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowinformal (game); technical/zoological (bird).
Quick answer
What does “grey duck” mean?
a duck species (Anas superciliosa) of Australasia and the southwestern Pacific.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a duck species (Anas superciliosa) of Australasia and the southwestern Pacific; also, a duck with predominantly grey plumage.
In Minnesota and the upper Midwest of the US, a regional name for the children's game known elsewhere as 'Duck, Duck, Goose'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The bird meaning is known in relevant geographical contexts. The game meaning is exclusively American (regional: Minnesota). Spelling: 'grey' is standard in BrE; 'gray' is more common in AmE, but 'Grey Duck' for the game is a fixed proper name.
Connotations
Ornithological: neutral. Game: evokes strong local identity and nostalgia for Minnesotans.
Frequency
Very rare in general English. High frequency within the specific regional context of Minnesota for the game.
Grammar
How to Use “grey duck” in a Sentence
play [the] grey duckspot a grey duckthe grey duck is native toVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithology and zoology texts discussing Australasian waterfowl.
Everyday
Primarily used in Minnesota and surrounding regions to refer to the children's game. Rarely used elsewhere.
Technical
A species identifier in biological taxonomy and field guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grey duck”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grey duck”
- Using 'grey duck' to mean the game outside the upper Midwest US, leading to confusion. Misspelling as 'gray duck' when referring to the fixed name of the Minnesotan game.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not specifically. While it can descriptively mean a duck with grey feathers, it primarily refers to a specific species (Anas superciliosa) or, in Minnesota, USA, to a children's game.
The origins are unclear but it is a strong regional tradition. The phrase 'grey duck' is used instead of 'goose' as the final selection, possibly from older versions of the game or local linguistic preference.
For the colour description, 'gray' is the more common American spelling. However, for the proper name of the Minnesotan game, 'Grey Duck' is the conventional spelling, and for the bird species, 'grey duck' is standard in ornithology.
Use with caution. For the bird, it is fine in scientific/zoological contexts. For the game, it will likely cause confusion unless you are speaking to someone from the upper Midwest of the USA. Internationally, 'Duck, Duck, Goose' is the universally understood term for the game.
a duck species (Anas superciliosa) of Australasia and the southwestern Pacific.
Grey duck is usually informal (game); technical/zoological (bird). in register.
Grey duck: in British English it is pronounced /ɡreɪ dʌk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡreɪ dʌk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a duck under a GREY sky in the PACIFIC ocean, or a child in MINNESOTA tapping heads and saying 'grey duck'.
Conceptual Metaphor
REGIONAL IDENTITY IS A CHILDREN'S GAME (for the Minnesotan usage).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary factor that determines whether 'grey duck' refers to a bird or a game?