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Introduction
The words “story and storey” may be confusing. “Story” typically refers to a narrative or an account, while “storey” usually refers to a level of a building.
In this post, we will explore the different meanings and usages of these two words to clear up any confusion.
Easily confused words – story and storey
Story or storey? The words story and storey may be confusing. Story means narrative or a fictitious tale. In American English story also means a floor or level of a building. However, in Australian, British, Canadian, and Indian English, the word meaning a floor or level of a building is spelled storey. The plurals of story and storey are stories and storeys, respectively.
Let’s discuss the difference between the two words in more detail!
story
The word story is a noun. It means a narrative, a fictitious or real account of an event, or a series of events.
Etymology: The word “story” comes from the Old French “estoire,” which originates from the Late Latin “storia,” shortened from the Latin “historia,” meaning “history, account, tale, story.”
In American English story also means a floor or level of a building.
Example:
- She told us the story about how she lost all her money
- He bought a building with four stories.
Interesting expressions used with the word story:
- To cut / make a long story short:
- This expression is said when you want to stop telling someone all the details of something that happened and tell them only the main facts.
- Example: To make a long story short, I won a lot of money in the lottery.
- This expression is said when you want to stop telling someone all the details of something that happened and tell them only the main facts.
- That’s another story:
- This means that you have an explanation of something that you prefer to make at some other time.
- Example: I invested a lot of money in another project, but that’s another story.
- This means that you have an explanation of something that you prefer to make at some other time.
- The story of my life:
- This idiomatic expression is said about the mishap or misfortune which typically happens to you.
- Example: I ran to the train station to catch the 9 o’clock train just to find it has just left. That’s the story of my life.
- This idiomatic expression is said about the mishap or misfortune which typically happens to you.
Storey
The word “storey” is a noun, referring to any level of a building. While in American English it is spelled “story,” in other parts of the world, including British English, it is spelled “storey.”
Examples:
- The building was five stories / storeys high.
Why are the Terms “Storey” or “Story” Associated with the Levels of a Building?
Both “storey” and “story” come from the Latin word “historia,” meaning “history” or “story.”
Initially, “story” meant a historical account or representation, but over time, it evolved to refer to fictitious events for entertainment. “Storey,” which is essentially the same word, may have originally referred to tiers of painted windows or sculptures on a building’s front, each representing a historical subject. So, each tier was called a “story,” or “storey” once the spelling changed.
Eventually, “storey” began to mean a level or floor of a building in British English, while “story” remained the adopted spelling in American English.
Conclusion
The words “story and storey” have related meanings. “Story” is primarily used in American English to refer to a narrative or tale, while “storey” is the preferred spelling in British English for a level or floor of a building. Despite the difference in spelling, both terms originate from the Latin word “historia,” meaning “history” or “story.”
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