nine days' wonder

noun

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

nine-days wonder

noun

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

nine days' wonder

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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nine days' wonder¹

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

There was an occasional murder mystery, always more than a nine days' wonder; the public had not yet grown callous.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg