Etymology Map
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Story

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an account of events, real or imaginary

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

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

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.