FAQ: What is the origin of the term 'flea market? Were fleas once sold there?

flea france!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the origin of the term 'flea market'? Were fleas once sold there?

Flea market comes from the French marché aux puces, a name originally given to a market in Paris. The fleas were thought to be in the goods, because they were of the kind to attract vermin. The earliest English use we have found dates from 1922.

The origin of the term "FLEA MARKET" is practically impossible to trace. It is a mystery that has never been solved as there has never been a serious investigation into the origin of the name. There is little or no official records or documentation existing on this amazing phenomenon that is the flea market. The first reference to the term "Flea Market" appeared in two conflicting stories about a location in Paris, France in the 1860's known as the marche aux puces, translation, "Flea Market".

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, named after those annoying 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.

"Flea Market." Regardless of the origin or the definition of flea markets, I have never heard of anyone who did not love to go to a marche aux puces.

A flea market is a facility that rents space to anyone that offers for sale to the general public merchandise, products, items, services and all other legal needs of the buying public. These renters are known as vendors. Flea markets are a worldwide business that has been around for hundreds of years and could be considered as a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry that has never been and probably never will be truly defined.

Flea Markets are the incubators and breeding grounds of todays entrepreneurs. Flea Markets are of course the only opportunity available for a person to start a business without a large layout of capital and long term commitments.

Albert LaFarge, author of Flea Market Directory, says, "Today's flea market is a modern version of a phenomenon that has endured throughout history in all civilised societies - wherever there is a high concentration of people, there will be market days when they assemble for the exchange of goods and services." The marketplace of the ancient Greeks was known as the Agora; in Rome, the Forum; and in Israel, at the Temples. Each nation has its own name that translates into flea market.

In St Albans the flea market is very much alive!

The First Thursday of the month, 9am until 2pm.

St Pauls Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans

For further info, get in touch with Julie O’Shea on 07930 312059

This article was created on Sunday, 22nd June 2008. It was last tinkered with on Friday, 27th June 2008.

This is the 35th issue of Flea Magazine and the first dedicated to St Albans. Very soon we'll have a PDF version of the 'hard copy' magazine available in the space below. This being the very same flea you'll find circulating libraries, selected surgeries and community outlets in and around your city.

If you'd prefer to have your flea delivered, contact us today on freephone 0800 856 5686

Inside St Albans Flea 1

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