A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

VAL

Sat, 27 Jul '24
___ Chmerkovskiy, three-time "Dancing With the Stars" champion
Wed, 17 Jul '24
Kilmer of "Top Gun: Maverick"
Thu, 4 Apr '24
Apt name for a Feb. 14 baby?
Wed, 17 Jan '24
Kilmer of Batman fame
Thu, 30 Nov '23
___-de-Marne (French department)
Tue, 23 May '23
Kilmer who played Batman
Fri, 31 Mar '23
France's ___ de Loire
Wed, 15 Mar '23
Florida politico Demings
Thu, 15 Dec '22
Kilmer of "Batman Forever"
Thu, 4 Nov '21
France's ___ de Loire
Fri, 22 Jan '21
Congresswoman Demings