A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

DUE

Fri, 28 Mar '25
Word often followed by a date
Thu, 20 Feb '25
Slated to be delivered (on)
Mon, 7 Oct '24
Expected, as a baby
Mon, 16 Sep '24
___ date (pregnancy estimate)
Fri, 7 Jun '24
Directly
Sat, 1 Jun '24
Fair treatment
Sun, 25 Sep '22
Expected
Sun, 26 Jun '22
Expected
Mon, 16 May '22
Needing to be paid
Sun, 1 May '22
Owed
Sun, 22 Aug '21
Directly
Fri, 6 Aug '21
Just deserts
Tue, 11 May '21
Expected
Sat, 6 Feb '21
___ process
Mon, 4 Jan '21
Payment ___