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

The engagement had been a veritable nine days’ wonder.

From An Unknown Lover by Vaizey, George de Horne, Mrs.

On "the street" it was a nine days' wonder how so colossal a scheme could be foisted upon them and carried so near a successful culmination, and then, as usual, it was forgotten.

From Rockhaven by Munn, Charles Clark

The pursuit of Sheridan was an epic which aroused more than nine days' wonder; it led from London to Antwerp, from Antwerp to Paris, from Paris to New York and back to London again.

From London Days A Book of Reminiscences by Warren, Arthur

The duel between Sir Maxwell Danby and Leslie Travers was a nine days' wonder.

From Her Season in Bath A Story of Bygone Days by Marshall, Emma

In Battisford, sooner than in Wandsborough, Hubert Dorrien’s sad fate ceased to be a nine days’ wonder.

From Dorrien of Cranston by Mitford, Bertram