# SoCal, West Coast Dopers: What Do You Call A Supermarket/Grocery Store? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143 "2023-08-26T16:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/1 "2023-08-26T16:10:20Z")
I’ve noticed in sitcoms that the characters will say they’re going to “the market” when the context suggests a supermarket, or a grocery store, or a big box retailer. They did this on _Modern Family_, which is specifically set in L.A., but I’ve noticed other sitcoms set in other locales have used this phrasing before. I figure it must be an L.A./SoCal/West Coast thing since that’s where sitcoms are generally written and produced in the States. So is this a linguistic convention specific to the region? Or is there some literary reason for this? (“Literary” may not be the best choice of words, but you get my meaning). The last time I went to “the market” I was referring to a specific type of establishment: a place where various vendors have stalls peddling their wares. Like [this place](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/soulard/index.cfm). That’s how it’s always been in my Midwestern brand of English; a “market” is a collection of multiple vendors. A grocery store or supermarket (or big box retailer) is always referred to as “the grocery store” or “the supermarket” or just “the store.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/2 "2023-08-26T16:18:41Z")
On TV, they would avoid using specific store/chain names(unless they make up a local store). In real life, I would state the specific store I’m going to. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/3 "2023-08-26T16:23:16Z")
I lived on the west coast for 55 years, and older people might say they were going to the “market”, while younger people would say they were going to the “store”, or perhaps the “supermarket”. It all means the same thing to me.Farmer’s market has a special meaning. It’s where local vendors selling home-grown foods, or other homemade wares, to the public, in an open area. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/4 "2023-08-26T16:24:59Z")
I call it a supermarket. Or, as noted, the chain name (Ralphs (pronounced like you’re vomiting), Boys, Alpha Beta, or in AZ, Fry’s, Bashas, Albertsons and …FOOD CITY! (always pronounced like you’re shouting). One usually says the chain because we’re all chain loyalists. We are Albertson’s people, we would _never_ go to Bashas! But I’m a transplant. We called them Supermarkets in WI. Calling a SM a “market” sounds like NYC naming. Were the show writers transplants from NYC? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/5 "2023-08-26T16:30:54Z")
Californian native. “Store,” “grocery store,” or the specific chain name is how we would say it, IME. “Market” would specifically be a farmer’s market, most likely. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/6 "2023-08-26T16:32:08Z")
I would say, “I’m going to Safeway.” If I needed a generic term, which actually isn’t that common, I would call it “the grocery store”. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/7 "2023-08-26T16:38:02Z")
Grew up in Oregon, have lived in California for nearly 30 years. Always heard/said “the store”, unless a specific chain/store name was specified. Never heard anyone say “supermarket” in this context, “market” tends to refer to farmers’ markets and similar. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/8 "2023-08-26T16:54:56Z")
Lifelong Best Coaster here. “I’m going to the market” would sound very odd to me. A farmer’s market is usually specified as such. I, too, would use the name or nickname of the place, or “grocery store” or “the store.” ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/9 "2023-08-26T17:01:29Z")
If it’s groceries, it’s “the store.” If it’s anything else, it’s specifically named. (Decades on the west coast of the USA.) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/10 "2023-08-26T17:50:39Z")
Native West Coaster: Going to the grocery store. Going to the store. Going to get groceries. Market is reserved for Pike Place Market when going downtown in Seattle. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/11 "2023-08-26T17:57:35Z")
Born & raised through college in SoCal. Haven’t lived there for 40 years now. IME this is the best single answer. > [@Seanette](#): > > Grew up in Oregon, have lived in California for nearly 30 years. Always heard/said “the store”, unless a specific chain/store name was specified. Never heard anyone say “supermarket” in this context, “market” tends to refer to farmers’ markets and similar. “Store” with no other qualifiers or context means your usual grocery store. The “grocery store” or the name of the chain would be next choices in the SoCal idiom if more background was needed. “Market” sounds to me like something somebody from the Midwest or maybe rural northeast would say. Also sounds terribly old-fashioned. My grandmother (who’d be 115 if she was alive) might’ve said “market”. My Mom (who’d be 90 if still alive) never would have said “market”. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/12 "2023-08-26T18:03:01Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Calling a SM a “market” sounds like NYC naming. Were the show writers transplants from NYC? I suppose that’s possible but I don’t think so. I’ve lived in NYC my whole life and don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to “going to the market” \* except my husband . Who has a habit of using words and phrases that make him sound like he’s 100 years old. Although I have to say, the concept of “supermarket” sort of implies the existence of a non-super market. \* I do , however, hear people talk about the “fruit” , “meat” or “fish” markets. But that’s something different. ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/13 "2023-08-26T18:54:10Z")
Also a native west coaster, and this would be my answer as well. I don’t live near Seattle so “market” would more likely refer to a local farmer’s market, as others have suggested. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/14 "2023-08-26T19:14:52Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > … Always heard/said “the store”, unless a specific chain/store name was specified. … A couple hours north of **Seanette** , but the same custom. The store name is usually reserved for something like, “I’m going to Fred’s, need anything from there?” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/15 "2023-08-26T19:42:38Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > If it’s groceries, it’s “the store.” Yeah, either ‘the store’ or “Ralphs” e.g. “Grocery store” maybe. When we had a bigger mini-mart right nearby, we would sometimes call that 'the store" and then the local Ralphs either by name or “grocery store” Not “supermarket” or “the market”. And yes, I am a SoCal native. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/16 "2023-08-26T19:52:14Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > f it’s groceries, it’s “the store.” > > If it’s anything else, it’s specifically named. > > (Decades on the west coast of the USA.) Lifetime in so cal and I agree with this. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/17 "2023-08-26T19:58:03Z")
Raised in California, moved to Oregon almost 30 years ago–“I’m going to the store, need anything?” or “I’m going grocery shopping, what are we out of?” Of course these days there’s only dogs to answer these questions and they always say “FOOD AND TREATS MOM!!1!” so not helpful lol. “Market” isn’t a word I’d use without a modifier like “farmer’s market” or “the Asian market on 82nd.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/18 "2023-08-26T20:23:22Z")
This thread is kind of fun to see so many of the current & former SoCal folks in one place. I recognize many of us, but I was surprised at a few names that I’d never known, or had forgotten, hail from the real Southland. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/19 "2023-08-26T20:25:09Z")
“The store” or the name, as said. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143/20 "2023-08-26T20:32:29Z")
or sometimes a subject-specific store ie "the hardware store " or the " feed store " [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socal-west-coast-dopers-what-do-you-call-a-supermarket-grocery-store/989143.md?page=2)