I never really cared much for the Clash, but their first record fits fine next to any other classic 'punk' LP of that era (though not next to my records). The rest of their career was a fine adventure in song writing and recording, but they were more 'punk' in their attitude of not being boxed into the genre than what we often classify as 'punk' music. They sure grew out of their bondage pants, and I'll give 'em credit for that!
Here is an explanation of the word 'punk' -
"worthless person" (especially a young hoodlum), 1917, probably from punk kid "criminal's apprentice," underworld slang first attested 1904 (with overtones of "catamite"). Ultimately from punk "prostitute, harlot, strumpet," first recorded 1596, of unknown origin. For sense shift from "harlot" to "homosexual," cf. gay. By 1923 used generally for "young boy, inexperienced person" (originally in show business, e.g. punk day, circus slang from 1930, "day when children are admitted free"). The verb meaning "to back out of" is from 1920. The "young criminal" sense is no doubt the inspiration in punk rock first attested 1971 (in a Dave Marsh article in "Creem"), popularized 1976.
