1 hour ago, Duvel said:
Hmm .. let me put is like this: The ground does collect a significant amount of organic debris (think trimmings, fish intestines, little pieces of bone ...) very fast and gets hosed down with water semi-regularly. It's not the best place to wear your nice shoes, the might get "wet". At least that's why I think its called like that.
Much as I love your etymology, in fact the 'wet' in wet market means 'fresh'. It is analogous to fresh fish being described as 'wet' as opposed to cured or dried fish. Wet fish shop is still in use in parts of England, if not also elsewhere.
The term 'wet' being applied to markets is particularly used in Hong Kong, although I've heard it elsewhere..
QuoteA wet market is a market selling fresh meat and produce, distinguished from dry markets which sell durable goods such as cloth and electronics.
