What is the origin of the idiom "talk of the town" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "talk of the town" likely dates back to the 18th or 19th century in England. It may have originally referred to a situation where a person or event was the focus of gossip or rumor within a small town or village, and the phrase gradually came to be used more broadly to describe any situation where a topic was the subject of widespread attention and discussion. The idiom implies that the topic in question is the focus of much attention and conversation, and that it is a source of curiosity or excitement for those involved.