# Since when is being a pimp cool? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063 "2004-12-21T22:14:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/41 "2004-12-22T03:09:14Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > So, what’s the verdict here? Can I still caution my husband about keeping his pimp hand strong or is that gay now? I remember when gay meant cheerful… ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/42 "2004-12-22T03:10:00Z")
> [@glee](#): > > As SlyFrog has said, the rappers clearly intend to refer to the original word. Sorry, but this conversation has abso-fucking-lutely nothing to do with rappers. I am not a rapper. I use the word pimp quite often when contextually proper. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/43 "2004-12-22T03:17:06Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Nnot actual pimps that do in fact treat humans as chattel but lavish eccentric pimps that act ultra cool and hip that smack bitches around, with it always being the hoe’s fault. Hitting women and blaming them for it = treating women as chattel. There isn’t a literal exchange of money for a person, but the mindset required to do both is the same. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/44 "2004-12-22T03:19:31Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > It’s just a word, people. The word “pimp”, or “pimpin”, or “pimp ride”, Etc Etc ad infinitum has nothing to do with the act of sex or solicitation of sex or beating women who solicit people for sex and bring you back 90% of their money. > > It has to do with the “street cred” pimps had and still have today. “Pimp”, for the most part, means “cool”. Pimp ride- something all customized with awfully ugly huge rims, tinting, etc. Someone who is pimpin, can be someone who is dressed to the 9’s, or just the opposite. > > It has nothing to do with prostitution or women. Talk about uptight. > > Sam Yep. Like when you insult someone or something by saying “That’s so gay!” you mean “stupid” not homosexual. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/45 "2004-12-22T03:25:56Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > **Know yo place woman!** Who is you to tell yo man what to do? > > Wow, it really is fun and edgy to use such slang and poor grammar. > > Tap dat ass! > > My god, it’s so good, I just can’t stop. > > I’ve given in to the dark side. Sheeeeit dough, S’all good! This is whack if you be making pimptastic smack. Yo yo, it be Know yo place beeyotch! You fools be running off at dey mouth with no respect. You better reck-o-nize! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/46 "2004-12-22T03:27:02Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yep. Like when you insult someone or something by saying “That’s so gay!” you mean “stupid” not homosexual. > > :rolleyes: That’s an example of the same thing, but the meanings aren’t as divorced. It’s obviously an insult. When you’re talking about pimping someone’s car, it’s clear you’re not talking about putting a bunch of prostitutes in it. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/47 "2004-12-22T03:28:49Z")
Just like NIGGER is okay to say cause Fiddy Cent says it!! It doesnt mean anything bad! I yell it out of the back of the mini van when my mom drives me to the pimp store yo! ;j \<-ma nig ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/48 "2004-12-22T03:36:02Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That’s an example of the same thing, but the meanings aren’t as divorced. It’s obviously an insult. When you’re talking about pimping someone’s car, it’s clear you’re not talking about putting a bunch of prostitutes in it. I don’t mean to change sides drastically because I really hate teenagers who say pimp, but it’s like saying “you are the master of baseball” doesn’t mean use guns, whips and dogs to force baseballs to pick cotton on your plantation. On the other hand it’s not like pimps existed in ancient times and people can’t be expected to remember the origin of the word. Sometimes when girls call a guy a pimp, he’s actually living off the avails of prostitution. Those minivan people should watch more Larry Clark movies and think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/49 "2004-12-22T03:57:10Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > Just like NIGGER is okay to say cause Fiddy Cent says it!! It doesnt mean anything bad! I yell it out of the back of the mini van when my mom drives me to the pimp store yo! Wow, we almost had a discussion for a minute there, thanks. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/50 "2004-12-22T04:09:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Wow, we almost had a discussion for a minute there, thanks. :rolleyes: Who did? ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/51 "2004-12-22T05:13:31Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yep. Like when you insult someone or something by saying “That’s so gay!” you mean “stupid” not homosexual. > > :rolleyes: Right, because saying, “wow, those rims are ‘Pimpin’”! is that same as saying, “that was SO gay, did you see those pink pants? Oh my gawd!” One is obviously a direct insult, the other simply a word that some people don’t find to be a “positive” attribute. Thanks for injecting a calm, rational on-point opinion. :rolleyes: Sam ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/52 "2004-12-22T14:37:41Z")
Well, pimps were already cool and sexy when Libby Holman sang “Moanin’ Low” to her abusive pimp (Clifton Webb, of all people, back when he was kinda hot!) in the Broadway revue _Three’s a Crowd_ (1930). "Moanin’ low, my sweet man, I love him so, though he’s mean as can be . . . " ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/53 "2004-12-22T17:51:11Z")
isn’t it a win-win situation? me: aren’t you da _pimp_? [sub]wanker[/sub] _smiles_ loser: why thank you! i’m da pimp! yeah!! _smiles_ ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/54 "2004-12-22T18:12:43Z")
At around the age of 17 or 18, Billy the Kid killed his first man, a blacksmith named Frank Cahill, after Cahill called him a “pimp.” Just thought I’d throw that out there. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/55 "2004-12-22T21:03:04Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > I have an all-purpose theory that I think covers this situation: > > People are idiots. New sig line! If you’d allow me? ---
**Author:** ![Mini-Thud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Mini-Thud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mini-Thud)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/56 "2004-12-22T21:52:54Z")
I always just assumed that people used that term as a positive thing (when referring to another human being) to mean that they had been with a lot of women. And we all know that sleeping around in HS (as a male) makes you cool. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/57 "2004-12-22T21:56:04Z")
> [@ArrMatey!](#): > > New sig line! > > If you’d allow me? Absolutely. Now that I think about it, I may have stolen that from Norm MacDonald on Saturday Night Live, though. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/58 "2004-12-23T00:54:50Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Sorry, but this conversation has abso-fucking-lutely nothing to do with rappers. I am not a rapper. I use the word pimp quite often when contextually proper. The original overheard conversation was between two girls. I expect that they watch MTV and see rap videos. What your vocabulary is has nothing to do with it. (I can tell you that jolly few teenagers use the phrase ‘contextually proper’!) ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/59 "2004-12-23T01:02:14Z")
[pouty voice]Huggy Bear was cool[/pouty voice] Not the guy from the recent movies wtih the stupid braids and the wet cardboard personality, the REAL Huggy Bear circa 1974. "course, I don’t remember ever seeing Huggy actually in the act of Pimping, he just gave Starsky and Hutch “the word on the street”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/60 "2004-12-23T01:18:43Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > I still disagree. When I look at a **vehicle with chrome** , and I use the aforementioned word which is entrenched in the sex industry and could not possibly ever have any other use, I am not thinking of sex, nor money, nor bitches, hoes. I don’t even have a hard on. Number one, Umm, YES it does, that crap is expensive, and a car all tricked out in chrome is a pretty big status/money symbol. Secondly, you may not have a hardon in the sense that your genitals react, but PLEASE, don’t tell us you don’t look at that car and do some version of “I want it” type reaction or behaviour, such as “droool, look at that cherried out 57 Chevy [or insert classic or ricer of your choice here], DAMN I’d like to have one of those”. And that’s another thing, (sorry slight hijack), the hijacking of the word “hardon” it means to have it in for someone, as in wanting to beat their heads in. It means want and lust after something. etc…so yeah, if you are lookng at the chrome and enjoying it, you DO have a “hardon for it”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063.md?page=4)