Historical clue formulations

• Reeked — 2026-08-17
• Emitted squiggly lines, in a cartoon — 2025-04-23
• Was downright awful — 2024-10-11
• Was awful — 2024-09-06
• Performed poorly, informally — 2024-01-08
• Reeked — 2023-08-02
• Word between "stink" and "stunk" in "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" — 2019-10-13
• Was ripe — 2018-02-15
• Was lousy — 2017-01-14
• Exhibited signs of spoilage — 2008-08-30
• Was really awful — 2005-11-04
• Needed a bath — 2005-01-09
• Was rotten — 2003-10-03
• Performed terribly — 1999-03-07
• Looked suspicious — 1996-04-17