Words: spunk [MW]

Now and then I run across an etymological justification that counters or confirms the conventional wisdom. (For instance, WASPs may sniff at blacks who say "He axed me to do it." Well, the Old English infinitive for "to ask" was axian.) So here is proof that Spongebob Squarepants was born to define what it is to be spunky:

Main Entry:    spunk
Pronunciation:    sp&[ng]k
Function:    noun
Etymology:    Scottish Gaelic spong sponge, tinder, from Latin spongia sponge
1 a : a woody tinder : PUNK  b : any of various fungi used to make tinder
2 : METTLE, PLUCK
3 : SPIRIT, LIVELINESS