Grocer’s Apostrophe

A5 Lined note paper with blue biro. Consistent use of the grocer’s apostrophe.

A grocer’s apostrophe is a spelling mistake caused by placing an apostrophe before the s of a plural word. In English, the plural form of a word is most commonly shown by adding an s to the end (e.g., “cats,” “bananas,” “pictures”). Don’t add your own apostrophe!

Not sure what Mary (Nurpac) is.

Waitrose, Didcot, UK, 13th April 2023

The Best Hand Writing On A List

I wish I could write in this style. Clear, large hand writing. Fantastic.

A short list. Maybe this person has a cold, they need medicine and Kleenex. Interestingly in the UK we refer to ‘tissues‘ rather than the brand Kleenex.

Walmart Neighborhood Market, La Mesa, California, USA

Ruth’s Birthday

A vintage list from 7 years ago. A deceptively large shopping list as there are multiple items on each line.

This shopper has planned their menu for the next week with, for example, gammon and squares(?) on Thursday. It looks like Saturday night may have been a night out!

Dog owner.

Found Sainsbury’s, Calcot, Reading

15th September 2016

Hob Wok – Eggs 12 – Dog

A substantial shopping list. Torn paper, black biro.

This person has taken the trouble to enumerate their items:

  • Eggs 12
  • 2 Bags of spinach
  • 1 Carrotts
  • 2 Tomotenen?
  • 2 Pkt garfee?
  • Feet blackberries x 2?

The bottom right of the list makes for an interesting read, sliced chicken, sliced ham, frozen chicken, dog.

Morrisons, Reading, December 2022

Cheeky Girls

A4 punched and lined paper, folded in half. Vegetarian list which raises a few questions.

Is this person going to buy aloe veras as in multiple plants of that kind or is this something else? Why are they under the section marked green veg (the same could be asked of fruits).

What is defended juice? Could be this https://purearth.co.uk/product/defence-juice-cleanse/

This list has another side to it. On the reverse are names of musical artists. Are these team names, categories, a play list? Further more, do the Cheeky Girls fit into this group?

Morrisons, Reading 4th December 2022

Pacific North West, USA

This is the first list on www.theshoppinglists.com from the United States.  Woo!

The list was very kindly donated by Rockie from Portland, Oregan.  My guess is that this is a top up shop rather than a large weekly visit.  Items on the menu for the next couple of days could include a salad with lettuce, cucumber? Maybe some Mexican food with the rice, beans and salsa and bagels with cream cheese for lunch?

I had never heard of Mr Stubbs and his BBQ sauce before so here is more info for those who are interested: http://www.stubbsbbq.com/

Apparently, “This is the real deal, the original.  And its tangy tomato, vinegar, molasses and black pepper are gonna treat you right.”

Rockie has great handwriting but in case you need help making it out, the items are:

Salad, Olive Oil, Dish soap, Potatoes, Bread, Peanut Butter, Bagels / Cheese, Lettuce, Doritos, Rice, Beans, Salsa, Lunch Meat, Carrots, Cucumber, Mr Stubbs BBQ

The food was purchased from Fred Meyer here https://www.fredmeyer.com/stores/details/701/00040

Any questions and comments are welcome!

 

Sweet Tooth

An interesting collection including some sugary items including sweets and caramel for coffee.  The samphire will be served with the fish no doubt.

Salmon, blue cheese, ice cream sauces, sweeties, coffee caramel, + colls?, eye makeup remover, carrots, potatoes, fish, samphire, sauce.

Sainsbury’s, Calcot, Reading.

Found 15th September 2016

Bungee Glue Gum


Wet wipes, mushy peas, vinegar, Nando’s sauce, Pepsi Max, Branston Pickle, Coffee, sugar, crunchy nut cornflakes, lettuce, carrots, margarine, cucumber, soft cheese, bungee glue gum, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, alda, fish food, 3 or 4 chicken joints.

There are a number of items of interest here. What is bungee glue gum? Alda?

This person likes their condiments, keep fish, will be having salad at some point and has crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast. 

Found Tesco, Reading.

10th August 2016

Red and Yellow Pepper


Chicken, carrots, greens, beans, not sure, sausages, red + yellow pepper, pork belly, cheese sauce, spring onions.

Does this person work for Rabbits Vehicle Hire? It looks like they have two offices, one in Reading and one in Didcot. The Reading box has been doodle outlined.

Found Tesco, Reading

9th August 2016