the nine days' wonder
- A feat performed in the spring of 1599 by the English clown WilliamKempe (fl. 1600), who appeared with the Chamberlain'sMen in many of the earlier plays of Shakespeare. For a wager,Kempe danced the 115 miles from London to Norwich in nine days (not including several days spent resting on the way). When he arrived, the mayor of Norwichgave Kempe £5 and entertained him. His accomplishment was recordedin 1600 in the book Kempe's Nine Daies Wonder. The expressionis now used to describe any event that arouses great interest fora very short time.