Historical clue formulations

• Walks through water — 2025-01-28
• Walks in rain boots, say — 2016-12-18
• Applies carelessly — 2010-02-19
• Handles clumsily, as a pail — 2007-04-13
• Almost spills — 2006-03-03
• Spills clumsily — 2003-07-07
• Doesn't stay in the bucket — 2000-11-30
• Negotiates a puddle — 1994-09-08