A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

RUIN

Fri, 2 May '25
Many a UNESCO site
Sun, 20 Apr '25
Wreck
Tue, 4 Feb '25
Completely wreck
Wed, 13 Nov '24
Utter destruction
Wed, 29 May '24
The Acropolis, now
Sat, 18 May '24
Make toast?
Sun, 24 Dec '23
Destruction
Fri, 6 Oct '23
Archaeological site
Sun, 22 Jan '23
Downfall
Sun, 1 Jan '23
Flatten, say
Sun, 4 Dec '22
Bankrupt, say
Sun, 19 Dec '21
Downfall
Mon, 21 Jun '21
Pompeii or Machu Picchu
Tue, 25 May '21
Pompeii, e.g.