Flea markets?

Question

Just wondering why are Flea Markets called Flea Markets?

Answer 1

I always wondered that so I "googled" it.. here's what I found.

After several unprofitable starts, a search on "flea market term" turned up the goods, sort of. It proved to be one of those tricky etymology questions that's almost impossible to answer with certainty. Nevertheless, I did uncover three plausible suggestions for the origin of "flea market."

The first theory, and the one most popular on the Internet, proposes that the term is a direct translation of the French Marché aux Puces, a large, outdoor bazaar in Paris. This original market earned its name from the critter-infested goods it was rumored to sell.

The second theory alleges that the term was coined at a time when the slums and alleys of Paris were demolished and replaced by new construction. The dealers in second-hand goods who lived and worked in these old neighborhoods were forced to flee. The merchants' new gathering place was referred to as the "flee market," which later became "flea market."

The final theory associates the term with New York City's 18th century Fly Market. Apparently, the Dutch name for the market was vlie, which means valley but is pronounced "flea."

So there you have it, three flea markets for the price of one. My money's on the first explanation, but don't hold us to it.

Answer 2

Interesting question. I looked it up and this is why: Why is it called a flea market? This is a jocular term for an open-air or street market for mainly secondhand merchandise, which would be the type of items that might be infested with fleas. The first flea markets were in Paris and they were called marché aux puces which translates to 'market with fleas'. Flea market first appeared in English in 1922 as a translation of the French market's name. Flea is of Germanic origin (fleah) and was not spelled flea until after 1550. A synonym is flea fair.

Answer 3

"The first `flea market' may have been New York's raucous Fly Market, a fixture in Lower Manhattan from before the American Revolution until around 1816," Morris writes. "The `Fly' came from the Dutch name for the market, `Vly' or `Vlie,' which meant `valley,' and was pronounced, you guessed it, `flea.' Voila, `flea market.' Maybe."

The other -- and most likely -- theory, Morris says, originates in Paris, where Le Marche aux Puces ("market of the fleas") was an early version of the outlet shopping mall. The market took its name from the partly humorous, partly accurate assumption that the market's ragtag goods more than likely were infested with fleas.

Today, thankfully, that is rarely the case.

The phrase "flea market" first appeared in English in the 1920s and probably was a simplified translation of the French market's name.

Answer 4

The most believable explanation I found is:
Because the used clothing items were likely to be infected with fleas.
I read a couple other theories, but I like this one best.

Answer 5

http://ididnotknowthatyesterday.blogspot.com/2006/03/where-did-term-flea-market-come-from.html

Answer 6

. They earned their name from the flea-infested clothing and rags sold in the early ones.

Answer 7

hmmmmm good question. maybe because they are mostly outside and there are fleas in the ground?

Answer 8

good question.. but I wonder too....

Answer 9

both

Answer 10

i wonder too