One of the challenges of Canadian English is that it incorporates British English while simultaneously incorporating American English. This is particularly confusing when it comes to choosing which words to use.
Take the words story and storey, for example.
Story
When referring to the levels of a building, both words mean the same thing; however, in the United States, the preferred spelling is story.
Storey
Storey, on the other hand, is a strictly British usage. In countries using British English, story refers to an account we tell others for entertainment, such as a bedtime story.
So, where do Canadians come in? Do we side with Americans as we do with tire and curb, or do we side with the British as we do with colour and metre?
Well, in this case, in Canada, we use storey, just as the Brits do. We also use story, but not to refer to levels of buildings.
Now, keep in mind, as with some other words, this usage is changing. Just as how the American spelling of color and pronunciation of zee are starting to gain popularity in Canada, so is the American spelling of story. In time, Canadians may end up favouring the simpler approach.
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