Aflea market (orswap meet) is a type ofstreet market that provides space forvendors to sell (generallypreviously owned) goods.[1][2] This type of market is often seasonal. However, in recent years there has been the development of 'formal' and 'casual' markets[3] which divides a fixed-style market (formal) with long-term leases and a seasonal-style market with short-term leases. Consistently, there tends to be an emphasis on sustainable consumption[citation needed] whereby items such asused goods,collectibles,antiques andvintage clothing can be purchased, in an effort to combat climate change[citation needed] andfast fashion.[1][4]
Flea market vending is distinguished fromstreet vending in that the market alone, and not any other public attraction, brings in buyers. There are a variety of vendors: some part-time who consider their work at flea markets a hobby due to their possession of an alternative job; full-time vendors who dedicate all their time to their stalls and collection of merchandise and rely solely on the profits made at the market.[3] Vendors require skill in followingretro and vintage trends, as well as selecting merchandise which connects with the culture and identity of their customers.[4]
In the United States, the National Association of Flea Markets was established in 1998, which provides various resources for sellers, suppliers and buyers and also provides a means for suppliers and sellers to communicate and form affiliations.[1]
Flea market is a common Englishcalque from the Frenchmarché aux puces, which literally translates to "market with fleas", labelled as such because the items sold were previously owned and worn, likely containingfleas.[1][5] The first reference to this term appeared in two conflicting stories about a location in Paris in the 1860s which was known as the "marché aux puces".
The traditional and most-publicized story is in the article "What Is a Flea Market?" by Albert LaFarge in the 1998 winter edition ofToday's Flea Market magazine:
There is a general agreement that the term 'Flea Market' is a literal translation of the Frenchmarché aux puces, an outdoor bazaar in Paris, France, named after those pesky little parasites of the orderSiphonaptera (or "wingless bloodsucker") that infested the upholstery of old furniture brought out for sale.
The second story appeared in the bookFlea Markets, published in Europe by Chartwell Books, reading in its introduction:
In the time of the EmperorNapoleon III, the imperial architectHaussmann 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 the former fort, in front of the gatePorte 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 "marché aux puces", meaning "flea market", later translation.[6]
The Paris Flea Market is the world's largest concentration of antique dealers and second-hand dealers, totaling more than 5 million visitors per year.[7]
In the United States, an outdoor swap meet is the equivalent of a flea market. However, anindoor swap meet is the equivalent of abazaar, a permanent, indoor shopping center open during normal retail hours, with fixed booths or storefronts for the vendors.[8][9][10]
Different English-speaking countries use various names for flea markets. InAustralian English, they are also called 'trash and treasure markets', while the term 'swap meet' is used for a market held primarily to sell car- and motorcycle parts andautomobilia. InPhilippine English, the word istianggê from the wordtianguis viaMexican Spanish coming fromNahuatl. Despite common misconception, it is not derived fromHokkien.[11] The word supplants the indigenous termtalipapâ.[12] In India, it is known asgurjari orshrukawadi bazaar or even asjuna bazaar inPune.
In the United Kingdom, they are known ascar boot sales if the event takes place in a field or car park, as the vendors will sell goods from the boot (or'trunk' inAmerican English) of their car. If the event is held indoors, such as a school or church hall, then it is usually known as either ajumble sale, or abring and buy sale. InQuebec and France, they are often calledMarché aux puces (literally "flea market"), while inFrench-speaking areas ofBelgium, the namebrocante orvide-grenier is normally used.
In German, there are many words in use but the most common word is "Flohmarkt", meaning literally "flea market". The same applies to Dutch "vlooienmarkt", Swedish "loppmarknad" and Finnish "kirpputori". In the predominantly Cuban/Hispanic areas of South Florida, they are called[el] pulguero ("[the] flea store") frompulga, the Spanish word for fleas. In the Southern part of Andalusia, due to the influence of Gibraltar English, they are known as "piojito", which means "little louse". InChile they can be calledpersas ormercados persa ("persian market") andferias libres, if mostly selling fruit and vegetables. InArgentina they are most likely called "feria artesanal" (artisan's or street fair) or "feria americana" (American fair), the latter name is due to have taken the idea from their United States counterpart.
InMoroccan Darija, the term for "flea market" isجوطيةjuṭiyya, which either derives from Frenchjeter orjetable (throwable),[13] or is an older term derived fromجوقةjuqa meaning "gathering of people". An ancient village on the bank ofSebou River by the nameجوطة "Juta" may have been a big medieval market.[14]
In thePhilippines "Tiangges" or bazaarshopping is famous in spacious markets likeDivisoria,Greenhills, andBaclaran. It features rows of stalls with displays for sale of variety items like clothes, accessories, gadgets at incredibly low prices.[15]
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