A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

SILAS

Sun, 1 Dec '24: George Eliot's "___ Marner"
Tue, 2 Jul '24: George Eliot's "___ Marner"
Sun, 11 Dec '22: Eliot's "___ Marner"
Fri, 20 Aug '21: Surname of father-and-son N.B.A. coaches Paul and Stephen