story

Where does the word "story" come from? It comes from Latin historia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Story’s story begins in Latin: historia meant “account, narrative.” From Greek 'historia', inquiry. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estoire. The 'hi-' was worn away in Anglo-French. It reached English by 1200s as story. The floor sense 'storey' may come from painted stories on windows. Today, story means an account of events, real or imaginary.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient historia "account, narrative", from Greek 'historia', inquiry.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estoire "story, history", the 'hi-' was worn away in Anglo-French.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s story "a narrative", the floor sense 'storey' may come from painted stories on windows.