A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

SINCE

Mon, 12 Feb '24
"___ U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson hit)
Mon, 4 Dec '23
"Well, ___ you asked …"
Sun, 27 Aug '23
Because
Wed, 11 Jan '23
Considering the fact that
Tue, 19 Oct '21
"___ you asked ..."