Historical clue formulations

• #1 choice, in slang — 2025-12-14
• #1, say — 2025-11-23
• Pet, informally — 2024-03-02
• #1, informally — 2020-12-26
• Top choice, informally — 2018-08-27
• Top go-to — 2017-02-10
• Top choice, informally — 2016-10-10
• Top choice, informally — 2015-06-03
• Pet, informally — 2011-11-19
• Top pick, informally — 2011-02-11
• One you dig the most — 2010-06-15
• Top pick, slangily — 2008-05-30
• #1 thing — 2000-05-23
• Grooviest one — 1996-05-14
• Top choice, so to speak — 1994-10-03