A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

RIPE

Sat, 7 Jun '25
Mature
Wed, 12 Mar '25
Like plump peaches, typically
Sat, 22 Feb '25
Funky
Mon, 13 Jan '25
Ready to eat, as fruit
Sun, 5 Jan '25
Perfect for a salad, say
Mon, 9 Dec '24
Like yellow bananas
Wed, 24 Jul '24
Ready to eat
Mon, 25 Mar '24
Like dark green avocados
Fri, 29 Dec '23
Ready, in a way
Fri, 21 Oct '22
Red, maybe
Fri, 9 Sep '22
Quite stinky
Fri, 12 Nov '21
Primed (for)
Wed, 8 Sep '21
Yellow, as a banana
Sat, 24 Jul '21
Ready
Sat, 27 Feb '21
What comes before old age?
Mon, 28 Dec '20
Ready for picking