A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

CAKE

Mon, 4 Mar '24
Birthday dessert
Sat, 10 Jun '23
Word with round or pound
Tue, 13 Dec '22
Order for a birthday party or wedding reception
Mon, 14 Mar '22
"Well, that takes the ___!"
Thu, 9 Sep '21
It may be iced for a happy birthday party
Tue, 19 Jan '21
Word that can follow either half of the answers to the starred clues