• The Mandarin term “跳蚤市场” is a paraphrase of the English term “flea market”.
• Although the concept of flea markets originated from the West, similar markets can now be found around the world. Flea markets were originally meant for the sale of goods such as used clothes and old furniture, which might have fleas in them, hence the name.
• Flea markets are a special type of retail marketplace. They normally open for business on weekends or public holidays, with the stall owners gathering for a short period of time to sell all kinds of goods.
• Singapore’s oldest flea market was located on Sungei Road, which is colloquially known as gek sng kio. The market witnessed Singapore’s growth and development for more than 80 years before finally ceasing operations on 10 July 2017 to make way for residential developments.
• Nowadays, some local wet markets host flea market events on weekends, to let residents set up stalls to sell their wares.
• In recent years, flea markets in Singapore not only sell cheap second-hand goods, but also locally made original items and handicrafts.

After evaluation, the Government decided that such activities involving the sale of goods at stalls should only be held at designated trade fairs or flea markets, and not permanently set up at fixed locations, to reduce the inconvenience caused to the public. (Lianhe Zaobao, 15/2/2017)

跳虱市场 (Hong Kong, Macau)

• In the 1920s and 1930s, there was an ice-making plant located on Sungei Road near the river called the Singapore Ice Works, which could only be accessed by crossing a bridge that spanned the Rochor Canal. Hence, the colloquial name gek sng kio or gat sng kio originated from the Teochew and Hokkien term “结霜” (gek sng or gat sng), which also means “to form ice”.