where did they get the name flea market?

Answer 1

There are a couple of stories about how the name originated, though no one knows for sure. The first recorded use of the term dates back to the 1860's.

The traditional and most publicized story is in the article "What Is A Flea Market?" by Albert LaFarge in the 1998 winter edition of Today's Flea Market magazine. In his article LaFarge says, "There is a general agreement that the term "Flea Market" is a literal translation of the French marche aux puces, an outdoor bazaar in Paris, France, named after those pesky little parasites of the order Siphonaptera (or "wingless bloodsucker") that infested the upholstery of old furniture brought out for sale."

The second story is printed in the book Flea Markets in Europe published by Chartwell Books. In the Introduction of this book, the author writes, "In the time of Emperor Napoleon III, the imperial architect Haussmann made plans for the broad, straight boulevards with rows of square houses in the center of Paris, along which army divisions could march with much pompous noise. The plans forced many dealers in second-hand goods to flee their old dwellings; the alleys and slums were demolished. These dislodged merchants were, however, allowed to continue selling their wares undisturbed right in the north of Paris, just outside of the former fort, in front of the gate Porte de Clignancourt. The first stalls were erected in about 1860. The gathering together of all these exiles from the slums of Paris was soon given the name "Marche aux Puces", meaning "flee market", later translation.

Interesting question, and it was interesting to find a possible answer ... I love flea markets!

Answer 2

A flea market is there then it is gone. It can jump from one place to another unlike a traditional store with a fixed location. Of course now there are fixed location stores using the term "flea market", but they would be more appropriately called "junk" or "second hand stores".

Answer 3

Lol! Good question!!! Even swap meet sounds hilarious!