Historical clue formulations

• Sops up — 2024-10-08
• Learns — 2016-12-25
• Doesn't merely listen to — 2015-08-08
• Rivets — 2012-09-28
• Assumes, as costs — 2012-05-16
• Sucks up — 2010-10-31
• Learns — 2008-01-17
• Learns — 2005-10-06
• Works like a sponge — 2003-11-17
• Takes in — 1999-01-31
• Sponges — 1998-06-21