Where does “punk” come from?

Punk comes from English spunk, of uncertain origin and meaning.

punk (English): A person used for sex, particularly; A worthless...

Definitions

  1. A person used for sex, particularly; A worthless...

Ancestry of “punk”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Unamipunkwashes; dust; powder
2Proto-Algonquianpenkwidust, ash
3Proto-Algicpenekwepowder

Words derived from “punk

Every word from Proto-Algic penekwe