I had always thought Gandalf's colour refered to his shadowy, non-assertive aspect.
Unlike the other wizards, Gandalf mixes with all sorts,and is comfortable with the highest of the high and lowest of the low. Think of all those names he has been given by all the people he has lived among...he is knowledgable about the more obscure races on Middle-earth, such as Ents and of course hobbits!
And, as Olorin, he would often walk among the people of Middle Earth, unseen, and give them comfort although they knew not from whence it came.
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Out went the candle, and we were left darkling
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