1. The Highway Code(01 of50)
Open Image ModalWe're sorry to rub this in, but the world's most boring book just got a decidedly raunchier competitor in the best selling stakes. Unfortunately, there's no promises a copy of Shades will help you pass your theory test. (credit:Flickr: psd)
2. Stamps(02 of50)
Open Image ModalIf Shades is encouraging anything, it's not the ancient and romantic art of writing love letters. Especially not after the recent price hike. (credit:Flickr: jurvetson)
3. Dressing Gowns(03 of50)
Open Image ModalMove over, Hugh Hefner, your silky loungewear is no longer the epitome of male sex appeal. (credit:Flickr: Pop Culture Geek)
4. Chest Wigs(04 of50)
Open Image ModalSee previous.IMAGE:Flickr.com/drinksmachine
5. Supermarket dinner for two for £10(05 of50)
Open Image ModalThey may be convenient, but they're a bit more M&S then S&M, sadly. (credit:Flickr: aliwest44)
6. Tickets to the Rocky Horror Show(06 of50)
Open Image ModalYou still thought this was risque? Oh... (credit:Flickr: Epiclectic)
7. Snowglobes(07 of50)
Open Image ModalNever the classiest form of souvenir. (credit:Flickr: Britanglishman)
8. Hot water bottle(08 of50)
Open Image ModalEspecially not when hidden inside a cuddly animal cover. (credit:Flickr: Esther Gibbons)
9. Typewriters(09 of50)
Open Image ModalThese belong in the whole Moulin Rouge genre of raunch. Next. (credit:Flickr: xlibber)
10. The Atkins Diet(10 of50)
Open Image ModalBit of a cheat, really, as sales of these have been declining since the mid-noughties. (credit:MediaWiki: Palosirkka)
11. Bottles of cough medicine(11 of50)
Open Image ModalIt's summer. (credit:Flickr: Wystan)
12. Scarves(12 of50)
Open Image ModalApart from the types needed to tie up lovers with. (credit:Flickr: poodlemama9)
13. Watches(13 of50)
Open Image ModalMost people use their phone to tell the time with now, right? (credit:MediaWiki: Autopilot)
14. Pugs(14 of50)
Open Image ModalYes, they're a very fashionable dog right now, but they're far more demanding than your average best-selling paperback.IMAGE:Flickr.com/0¢
15. Elton John records(15 of50)
Open Image ModalIs he even producing them any more?! A fall from grace from the bespectacled wonder.IMAGE:Flickr.com/Epiclectic
16. Bicycle pumps(16 of50)
Open Image ModalGranted, the olympics are in full swing. But any DIY sex toy involving one of these is going to end up with a trip to A&E.IMAGE:Flickr.com/ Johnsen Frameworks
17. Elastic bands(17 of50)
Open Image ModalThe most domestic form of rubber good. Up there with...IMAGE:Flickr.com/ Johnsen Frameworks
18. Plugs(18 of50)
Open Image ModalOf the drain-blocking variety. Not to be confused with number 14. Also in the rubber line...IMAGE:Flickr.com/Robynlou8
19. Swimming hats(19 of50)
Open Image ModalSexy, but not necessarily part of your beach look this year. IMAGE:Flickr.com/Laurie Pink
20. The Da Vinci Code(20 of50)
Open Image Modal2003 called, it wants its best seller back.
21. Pencils (21 of50)
Open Image ModalWith thousands of copies of Shades littering public transport, there's no wood left for these useful scribing tools.IMAGE:Flickr.com/hownowdesign
22. Big Macs(22 of50)
Open Image ModalTasty. But gherkins = halitosis. (credit:MediaWiki: Evan-Amos)
23. Copies of Wet Wet Wet's "Love Is All Around" (23 of50)
Open Image ModalYou're still using this as a seduction technique? Awkward.
24. Condoms(24 of50)
Open Image ModalThe irony of Shades is that the book's so addictive that the prospect of having actual sex is just a tad, well, distracting. (credit:MediaWiki: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske))
25. All of the items in the book combined (25 of50)
Open Image ModalSure, you're happy enough to go and read about the whips and the chains and the other clunky bedroom accessories - but going to the extent to buy them? Meh. (credit:MediaWiki: Handcuffed)
26. Wedding rings (26 of50)
Open Image ModalIt's fair to say that any Shades reader is somewhat more intimidating marriage material now. Let's not get started on the white dress. (credit:MediaWiki: Electron)
27. Newspapers(27 of50)
Open Image ModalSay what? All those stories about Shades are getting dull? You'd rather read the actual book? (credit:MediaWiki: Apdency)
29. The Crazy Frog ringtone(28 of50)
Open Image ModalThank god one dreadful best seller has killed another. (credit:MediaWiki: Hill)
28. Jilly Cooper's Riders(29 of50)
Open Image ModalYes, we are in floods of tears about this. No, Shades will never fill the Cooper-shaped hole in our heart.
30. Dusters(30 of50)
Open Image ModalBored housewives have far better things to do with their time now. (credit:MediaWiki: Stefan4)
31. Tickets to the Olympic stadium(31 of50)
Open Image ModalDespite being the equivalent of event gold dust at the moment, the amount sucked up by corporate sponsors has meant that Shades is a far more egalitarian option. (credit:MediaWiki: Slick)
32. Spice Girls posters(32 of50)
Open Image ModalAlthough we're hoping that Shades isn't taking the equivalent place on young girls' walls. (credit:MediaWiki: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske))
33. Razors(33 of50)
Open Image ModalFemale body hair is in, if you hadn't heard. Plus, much like point 24 states, women have far better things to do right now. (credit:MediaWiki: Karam.Anthony.K)
34. Lady Chatterly's Lover(34 of50)
Open Image ModalIt may be the thinking gal's Shades, but we can't believe copies are flying off the shelves.
35. Mansions(35 of50)
Open Image ModalWe're in the middle of a recession, don't you know? (credit:MediaWiki: Mansionevents)
36. Bunting(36 of50)
Open Image Modal*Yawn* The Jubilee is so three months ago. (credit:MediaWiki: Jza84)
37. Pegs(37 of50)
Open Image ModalSexy instruments of mild torture are far more...shiny, these days. (credit:MediaWiki: Flickr upload bot)
38. Lunchboxes(38 of50)
Open Image ModalMost people buy lunch out now, right? Secondly, after Shades, there are less coy ways of referring to a man's package. (credit:MediaWiki: FlickreviewR)
39. Coathangers(39 of50)
Open Image ModalOh yes, because steamy sexual encounters are made by neatly hanging up one's clothes. (credit:MediaWiki: GeographBot)
40. CKOne(40 of50)
Open Image ModalIt's unlikely Christian and Anastasia have a shower and share his'n'hers perfume after a romp.
41. Kettle Chips(41 of50)
Open Image ModalOnce the ultimate in middle-class wooing snack. Now the harbinger of bad breath. (credit:MediaWiki: Evan-Amos)
42. Wills and Kate mugs(42 of50)
Open Image ModalWe literally shudder to think of either of them practising any of that. (credit:Flickr: celesteh)
43. Sunglasses(43 of50)
Open Image ModalHave you been outside during the last three months at all?! (credit:MediaWiki: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske))
44. Chicken Kievs(44 of50)
Open Image ModalWe gather that breaded garlicky poultry has declined in popularity. (credit:MediaWiki: Liftarn)
45. Novelty ties(45 of50)
Open Image ModalSee the book cover. (credit:Flickr: Annie Mole)
46. One Day(46 of50)
Open Image ModalOk, well, you probably should read this if you haven't yet, but do it in a hovel somewhere. Don't bring it up in conversation for fear of derision and mild mocking.
47. Jim Sturgess(47 of50)
Open Image ModalOK - there is only one of him. But in terms of fantasy fodder, even a million of him wouldn't challenge Christian Grey. (credit:MediaWiki: Nehrams2020)
48. Tripe(48 of50)
Open Image ModalWe're guessing it hasn't been all that popular for a while. (credit:MediaWiki: Flickr upload bot)
49. Cosmo magazine(49 of50)
Open Image ModalRidiculous as the sex tips offered in Shades are, people are still more likely to try them than those advised in this publication.
50. Cupcakes(50 of50)
Open Image ModalIf we are to be grateful to this publication for anything, it is for the death of twee. (credit:MediaWiki: Palosirkka)