Words, Words, Words
Did you ever wonder why flea markets use the word “flea”? Do I want to buy something that is filled with fleas?
Apparently, the answer is . . . YES!
According to Britannica.com, the most common belief about the origin of the phrase does, indeed, come from those annoying pests.
- “The most common explanation is that the term is a translation of the French marché aux puces (literally “market of fleas”), so-named for the pests that were thought to infest the upholstery of second-hand furniture sold at such markets. Legend has it that this etymology reflects an instance in the 1880s when an unknown bargain-hunter proclaimed that the largest of Paris’s legendary outdoor bazaars, the Saint-Ouen market, was infested by fleas.”
So, the next time you are searching for something at a flea market, maybe shake it first before purchasing??? 🤨😆
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Mr. Smiles® Stories
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Title World Tales™
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