Now You Know

Flea Markets

So being in Florida for a while I naturally started thinking "Why on Earth are flea markets called flea markets?" So, as usual, I used my dear friend Google to try and figure out the answer to life's biggest question. Okay, not really life's biggest question, but the biggest question in my mind right now. So what did I come up with?Apparently no one really knows, but there are three schools of thought out there.

The first theory was during the time when the Paris alleys and slums were destroyed and replaced new by new construction (much like how in South Florida a massive amount of new construction is built after trees are demolished...hmmm....I think I see a pattern here) the residents who lived there needed to flee, much like the alligators, birds, and other woodland creatures do in Florida. The residents were dealers in second-hand goods and needed to sell their goods in a new place which were now named "flee markets" for the fleeing residents.

The second theory was that there were markets in NYC during the 18th century called Fly Markets. Now this is where it gets a tiny bit confusing, apparently, the Dutch name for the market was vlie, which means valley but is pronounced "flea." How is Vlie pronounced as flea? And why does it seem to sound so much like vile?

The third theory is that in Paris there were large outdoor bazaars called French Marché aux Puces. When you translate that into English, it literally translates into Market of Fleas, why? Well...they sold products that were infested with the icky little critters.

So which do you buy? I think all three seem to be viable options, but I think that given the knock 'em down and build 'em up theory that is so similar to the Florida construction I am going to go with theory number one...basically because it is so entertaining.

Now you know...P.S. Get excited NYC it is almost Street Fair time. (Little known fact, a lot of people from Florida Flea Markets also have booths in NYC Street Fairs. Business Travels!)

(Info from I did not know that yesterday)