nine days' wonder

American  

noun

1. an event or thing that arouses considerable but short-lived interest or excitement.

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nine-days wonder British  

noun

1. something that arouses great interest, but only for a short period

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nine days' wonder Cultural  

1. Someone or something that is famous and celebrated for only a short time: “Last year the art critics praised Jonas as if he were a master, but he turned out to be a nine days' wonder.”

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Etymology

Origin of nine days' wonder

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

As the matter is to be a “nine days’ wonder,” they are evidently determined that there shall be no cause of after complaint.

From Literature

But Kenyon and Bramsdean knew that the achievement would be but a nine days' wonder.

From Project Gutenberg

The rapidity with which Nyoda got a project under way was a nine days’ wonder to Sherry, who usually spent more time in deliberating a course of action than she did in carrying it out.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not quite a week since the horses were taken; the 'nine days' wonder' is still alive.

From Project Gutenberg

The novelist’s ideals become actual to the popular mind; while commonplace truth hides itself among its dry-as-dust records, until some curious antiquary or insistent pedant drags it forth to make a nine days’ wonder. 

From Project Gutenberg