PhrasesHub

Nine days' wonder

    Definitions

      • something that is quickly forgotten
        To refer to something that is temporarily popular or interesting but soon loses its appeal and is forgotten

      • short-lived excitement
        To describe something that creates a brief period of excitement or interest but does not have long-lasting impact or significance

    Examples of Nine days' wonder

    • The discovery of a rare blue diamond in a local mine caused nine days' wonder among the townspeople. They couldn't stop talking about it, and people from nearby towns even came to see it. The diamond became the talk of the region for almost two weeks.

      Nine days' wonder is an old-fashioned expression that means something that captures everyone's attention and interest for a prolonged period. In this example, the rare blue diamond sparked a lot of curiosity and fascination among the locals, and word of its discovery soon spread. The term "nine days' wonder" is used because ancient Roman chariot races would last for nine days and attract huge crowds, so the expression refers to something that is a source of fascination for an extended period.

    • The outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China in late 2019 quickly became a "nine days' wonder" as news of the mysterious and deadly virus spread worldwide. People were captivated by the unfolding story, hanging on every new development as experts struggled to understand the nature of the disease and how it spread. For a brief period, the virus dominated the headlines, capturing the attention of governments, health authorities, and ordinary people alike.

      The idiom "nine days' wonder" is used to describe something that captures the public's attention for a brief period of time, often due to its novelty or perceived importance. In this context, the outbreak of the coronavirus certainly fulfilled this definition, as it generated a flurry of interest and speculation that lasted for several days. The use of "nine days'" is somewhat arbitrary and refers to a historical event - the nine-day funeral of Queen Caroline in 1821, during which the city of London was largely shut down as people paid their respects. The expression is often used in contemporary English to describe something that captures the public's imagination, but may ultimately prove to be less significant than initially thought.

    • After Kanye West's infamous tweet storm in 2018, in which he announced his intention to run for president in 2024, the internet was abuzz with speculation and analysis. The rapper-turned-reality-TV-star-turned-presidential-candidate was, for a few intense days, the most discussed topic on social media and news sites alike. The unexpected announcement, coming as it did from one of the most high-profile and enigmatic figures in pop culture, captured the public's imagination and earned him a fleeting place in the annals of political and media history.

      The use of "nine days' wonder" here highlights the transitory nature of West's political ambitions - while his announcement created a significant stir, it ultimately proved to be little more than a PR stunt, designed to grab headlines and generate buzz around his latest album release. The use of the idiom in this context shows how the expression can be used to describe something that captures the public's attention, at least briefly, before fading into the background and being forgotten.

    • The discovery of a new planet orbiting a distant star created a "nine days' wonder" in academic and scientific circles alike. The announcement, made by a team of astronomers using data from the Kepler Space Telescope, sparked intense debate and discussion about the nature of the planet, its possible habitability, and its potential significance for our understanding of the wider universe. For a few brief days, the discovery dominated the headlines and the minds of the public, as people grappled with the implications of this breakthrough.

      The use of "nine days' wonder" in this context shows how the expression can be used to describe something that captures the attention of experts and specialists in a given field, as well as the wider public. The discovery of the new planet represented a significant breakthrough in the field of astronomy, and its announcement sparked a flurry of interest and discussion that went beyond the realm of mere curiosity. The use of the expression in this context highlights the idea that some things may capture the attention of a particular community or audience, even if they do not necessarily capture the attention of the wider public.Note: All examples and explanations were generated by the AI, the material may contain errors. Please check and refine before use.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "nine days' wonder" is used to describe something that is briefly interesting or popular but is quickly forgotten. It can also refer to short-lived excitement or interest that does not have a lasting impact. This idiom is often used to caution against becoming too focused on something that will not have a lasting impact or to express disappointment in something that was initially exciting but quickly lost its appeal.

    Origin of "Nine days' wonder"

    The origin of the idiom "nine days' wonder" can be traced back to the Elizabethan era in England. During this time, it was believed that a wonder or miracle would only be considered as such for a period of nine days before it was no longer seen as extraordinary. This belief led to the creation of the idiom, which has been used in English language to describe short-lived phenomena or excitement ever since.

    An example of the idiom's usage can be found in Shakespeare's play "As You Like It," where the character Rosalind says, "It will be a nine days' wonder." This demonstrates that the idiom has been a part of the English language for centuries and continues to be used in modern times.