A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

WERE

Thu, 31 Aug '23
"___ all mad here": Cheshire cat
Tue, 13 Dec '22
"What ___ you thinking?"
Tue, 6 Dec '22
"… ___ not in Kansas anymore"
Mon, 1 Aug '22
"Now, where ___ we?"
Sun, 10 Jul '22
"___ saved!"
Sun, 6 Feb '22
"___ Hiring" (business sign)
Wed, 2 Feb '22
Lead-in to wolf
Tue, 23 Nov '21
"What ___ you thinking?"
Fri, 3 Sep '21
"Now ___ even"
Tue, 16 Mar '21
"Now, where ___ we?"