beach flea

noun

variants or beach hopper

: any of various amphipod crustaceans (family Talitridae) found on ocean beaches that feed on decaying organic matter, typically burrow into the sand during the day, and are capable of leaping like fleas : sand flea sense 2

You know those tiny beach fleas that are so small they're difficult to spot among the grains of sand?

—The Wall Street Journal

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

beach flea

noun

: sand flea sense 2