what is the origin of the word punk?
punk 1 punk youths; punk hairstyles in various colors. Origin. First recorded in 1590-1600; of obscure origin; the sense development is apparently âprostituteâ > âcatamiteâ > âhoodlumâ; the adj. âpoor in qualityâ (1896) is unclearly derived and perhaps a distinct word. Examples from the Web for punk. Contemporary Examples.