{{Short description|Street market or bazaar for used items}} {{Redirect|Swap meet|the Australian band|Swapmeet (band)|other uses|Swap meet (disambiguation)}} {{See also|Indoor swap meet}} {{For|the Tierra Whack song|Whack World}} [[File:Puces de Montsoreau.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Montsoreau Flea Market, Loire Valley, France]] [[File:The_Market_NYC.jpg|thumb|upright|The Market NYC, an artists', designers', vintage and an indoor flea market in New York City]]
A '''flea market''' (or '''swap meet''') is a type of street market that provides space for vendors to sell (generally previously owned) goods.<ref name="LaFarge 2000"/><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/flea_market |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190324151522/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/flea_market |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 24, 2019 |title= flea market {{!}} Definition of flea market in English by Oxford Dictionaries |website= Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English |access-date= 2019-03-24}}</ref> This type of market is often seasonal. However, in recent years there has been the development of 'formal' and 'casual' markets<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=L.|first=D.|date=2006|title=Editorial Perspectives: Flea Markets|journal=Science & Society|volume=70|issue=3|pages=301–307|issn=0036-8237|jstor=40404837|doi=10.1521/siso.70.3.301}}</ref> 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|reason=The sources do not back up a "consistent emphasis on sustanaible consumption".||date=May 2024}} whereby items such as used goods, collectibles, antiques and vintage clothing can be purchased, in an effort to combat climate change{{Citation needed|reason=The sources do not back up that flea markets are there for the purpose of fighting climate change, rather than it simply being a place of trade.||date=May 2024}} and fast fashion.<ref name="LaFarge 2000"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Appelgren|first=Staffan|date=2015|title=Introduction: Circulating Stuff through Second-hand, Vintage and Retro Markets|url=http://www.cultureunbound.ep.liu.se/v7/a02/cu15v7a02.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811162757/http://www.cultureunbound.ep.liu.se/v7/a02/cu15v7a02.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2017|journal=Culture Unbound|volume=7|pages=11|doi=10.3384/cu.2000.1525.15713}}</ref>
Flea market vending is distinguished from street 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.<ref name=":0" /> Vendors require skill in following retro and vintage trends, as well as selecting merchandise which connects with the culture and identity of their customers.<ref name=":1" />
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.<ref name="LaFarge 2000"/>
== Origin of the term == [[File:Troedelladen Thoms.jpg|thumb|''Trödelladen'' (junk shop) by Ernst Thoms, 1926]]
''Flea market'' is a common English calque from the French ''marché aux puces'', which literally translates to "market with fleas", labelled as such because the items sold were previously owned and worn, likely containing fleas.<ref name="LaFarge 2000" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=What is the origin of the term 'flea ... {{!}} Oxford Dictionaries|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-flea-market/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411045722/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-flea-market|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2017|access-date=2019-03-24|website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English}}</ref> 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 of ''Today's Flea Market'' magazine: {{blockquote|There is a general agreement that the term 'Flea Market' is a literal translation of the French ''marché 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 appeared in the book ''Flea Markets'', published in Europe by Chartwell Books, reading in its introduction: {{blockquote|In the time of the 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 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 "''marché aux puces''", meaning "flea market", later translation.<ref>Prieto, J. (2007). "[http://www.hollisflea.com/flea_market_history.html Flea Market History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419122304/https://www.hollisflea.com/flea_market_history.html |date=2023-04-19 }}". Hollis Flea Market. Retrieved February 12, 2012.</ref>}} The Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris is the world's largest concentration of antique dealers and second-hand dealers, drawing around 11 million visitors per year.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spada |first=Charles |date=May 2006 |title=Paris Flea Market: Le Marché aux Puces |magazine=Veranda}}</ref>
==Regional names== In the United States, an outdoor swap meet is the equivalent of a flea market. However, an indoor swap meet is the equivalent of a bazaar, a permanent, indoor shopping center open during normal retail hours, with fixed booths or storefronts for the vendors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/feb/28/las-vegas-epic-second-hand-shops-antique-stores-an/|title = Las Vegas' epic secondhand shops, antique stores and swap meets are a thrifter's paradise|newspaper = Las Vegas Sun|date = 28 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-08-mn-1515-story.html|title=Tensions, Bargains Share Space at Indoor Swap Meets : Bazaars: Businesses that survived riots are prospering. But some say they sell shoddy goods and stir racial strife|website=Los Angeles Times|date=8 July 1992}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/young-businesses-thrive-in-indoor-swap-meets/|title=Young businesses thrive in indoor swap meets|date=17 August 2014}}</ref>
Different English-speaking countries use various names for flea markets. In Australian 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 and automobilia. In Philippine English, the word is ''tianggê'' from the word ''tianguis'' via Mexican Spanish coming from Nahuatl. Despite common misconception, it is not derived from Hokkien.<ref>{{cite book| last1=Hernández| first1=Paloma Albalá| title=Americanismos en las Indias del Poniente: Voces de origen indígena Americano en las lenguas del Pacífico| series=Lingüística Iberoamericana| volume=IX| date=2007| publisher=Vervuert| isbn=9788495107527| page=171}}</ref> The word supplants the indigenous term ''talipapâ''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://tagaloglang.com/Tagalog-English-Dictionary/English-Translation-of-Tagalog-Word/talipapa.html |title=Tagalong Lang |publisher=Tagaloglang.com |access-date=2013-02-09}}</ref> In India, it is known as ''gurjari'' or ''shrukawadi bazaar'' or even as ''juna bazaar'' in Pune.
In the United Kingdom, they are known as car boot sales if the event takes place in a field or car park, as the vendors will sell goods from the boot (or 'trunk' in American English) of their car. If the event is held indoors, such as a school or church hall, then it is usually known as either a jumble sale, or a bring and buy sale. In Quebec and France, they are often called ''Marché aux puces'' (literally "flea market"), while in French-speaking areas of Belgium, the name ''brocante'' or ''vide-grenier'' is normally used.
In German, there are many words in use but the most common word is "Flohmarkt", literally meaning "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") from ''pulga'', 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". In Chile they can be called ''persas'' or ''mercados persa'' ("persian market") and ''ferias libres'', if mostly selling fruit and vegetables. In Argentina they are most often known as "feria artesanal" (artisan's or street fair) or "feria americana" (American fair); the latter name is likely to have been inspired by its United States counterpart. [[File:One_Ayala_Makati1.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|One Ayala "Tiangge"]] In Moroccan Darija, the term for "flea market" is {{Lang|ary|جوطية}} ''juṭiyya'', which either derives from French {{Lang|fr|jeter}} or {{Lang|fr|jetable}} (throwable),<ref name="rabat">{{Cite web |url=http://classic.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=54&article=722087&issueno=12535#.VEcVMerP1PY |language=ar |title=Rabat flea market |date=24 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022022323/http://classic.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=54&article=722087&issueno=12535#.VEcVMerP1PY |archive-date=22 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> or is an older term derived from {{Lang|ary|جوقة}} ''juqa'' meaning "gathering of people". An ancient village on the bank of Sebou River by the name {{Lang|ary|جوطة}} "Juta" may have been a big medieval market.<ref name="awqaf">{{Cite web |url=http://habous.gov.ma/daouat-alhaq/item/2568 |language=ar |title=Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Morocco, Qisariyya and its sister terms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128050344/http://habous.gov.ma/daouat-alhaq/item/2568 |archive-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the Philippines, "Tiangges" or bazaar shopping is famous in spacious markets like Divisoria, Greenhills, and Baclaran. These settings feature rows of stalls containing displays of various items such as clothes, accessories, and gadgets at notably low prices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yuvallos |first1=Andrei|title=What you need to know about tiangge shopping in the Philippines|url=https://usa.inquirer.net/136772/tiangge-shopping-in-the-philippines |accessdate=June 18, 2024 |publisher= Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=September 18, 2023}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:Paris - Vintage travel gear seller at the marche Dauphine - 5212.jpg|A vintage travel gear seller at Marché Dauphine in the Saint-Ouen flea market File:Flohmarkt2.JPG|A flea market in Germany File:Jyväskylä - Seppälä flea market.jpg|Flea market in Seppälä, Jyväskylä, Finland File:Kuopio market place 2011.jpg|A flea market on the Kuopio Market Square in Finland File:Vendor display at Brooklyn Flea.jpg|Vendor display at the Brooklyn Flea File:Bazaarchitecture8 (4061032054).jpg|The Chor Bazaar in Mumbai, India File:Shimokitazawa174 (3737061480).jpg|In Shimokitazawa, Japan File:ErfgoedLeiden LEI001016609 Vlooienmarkt.jpg|Flea market (Leiden, end of the 19th century) File:Beaudesert Swap Meet.jpg|alt=A large swap meet held in Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia|A large swap meet held in Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia File:Flea market (47846983882).jpg|"juṭiyya" (flea market) in Fez, Morocco File:Pasar Karat Kota Damansara at Seksyen 3 Kota Damansara 20231119 084111.jpg|Flea market in Malaysia </gallery>
== See also == {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Agora * Braderie * Car boot sale * Charity shop * Discount store * Farmers' market * Garage sale * Hamfest * Jumble sale * ''Pasar malam'' * Ukay-ukay * White elephant sale {{div col end}}
== References == <references> <ref name="LaFarge 2000">{{cite book | last=LaFarge | first=A. | title=U.S. Flea Market Directory, 3rd Edition: A Guide to the Best Flea Markets in All 50 States | publisher=St. Martin's Press | series=US Flea Market Directory | year=2000 | isbn=978-0-312-26405-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VgvABwAAQBAJ | access-date=July 23, 2019 | chapter=Introduction}}</ref> </references>
==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite news |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Sarah |title=‘There is bounty almost everywhere’: why you’ll always find me in the flea market on my travels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/nov/08/flea-market-vintage-thrift-souvenir-shopping |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=8 November 2025}} * {{cite news |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Sarah |title=Continental thrift: five of the best cities in Europe for vintage shopping |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/nov/09/continental-thrift-five-of-the-best-cities-in-europe-for-vintage-shopping |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=9 November 2025 |author1-mask=8}} {{refend}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Flea markets}} * [https://www.fleamarkets.org National Flea Market Association] (United States)
{{Retail}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flea Market}} Category:Retail markets Category:Non-store retailing Category:Reuse Category:Calques