# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**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, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/61 "2004-12-23T01:51:58Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Sometimes, everything is in fact nothing more than what it is. Nothing to do with the thread, but I LOVE this. 😃 Sounds very Alice and the White Rabbit, but in a good way. ---
**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 23, 2004, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/62 "2004-12-23T02:13:34Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > 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 Okay, perhaps it’s not as bad as using gay as an insult. But I still disagree that “pimpin’” has nothing to do with actual pimps. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/63 "2004-12-23T02:28:44Z")
How could you guys forget about Iceberg Slim? He ostensibly wrote his book to make people think twice about wanting to become pimps. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/64 "2004-12-23T05:23:49Z")
Am I allowed to disagree with you two, or are you going to both tell me what I’m thinking and feeling when using the word pimp? If you’re going to continue to tell me what I’m thinking, I’ll just agree so you’ll fade away. :rolleyes: Sam ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/65 "2004-12-23T15:00:29Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > 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 Why did you change the use of “gay”? The original poster just said “that’s so gay,” he didn’t clearly connect it with pink pants or any other gay stereotypes. You’ve clearly used the word differently to try to make your point. Unfortunately, to make your point, you need to warp and misconstrue the original language. Why don’t we go back to the original language. I’ve heard kids say, “That’s so gay” in response to being told, “Do your homework.” That’s perfectly acceptable, right, because it clearly has nothing to do with the established use of the word gay? ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/66 "2004-12-23T15:02:15Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Am I allowed to disagree with you two, or are you going to both tell me what I’m thinking and feeling when using the word pimp? If you’re going to continue to tell me what I’m thinking, I’ll just agree so you’ll fade away. :rolleyes: > > Sam So use of language comes around to “what you are thinking and feeling” when you use the words? That’s great, because now I can call random women “cunts” and let them know that it’s okay, as I meant it in the “cool, classy woman” type of way (or at least that’s what I was thinking/feeling). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/67 "2004-12-23T15:20:52Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > Why did you change the use of “gay”? The original poster just said “that’s so gay,” he didn’t clearly connect it with pink pants or any other gay stereotypes. You’ve clearly used the word differently to try to make your point. Unfortunately, to make your point, you need to warp and misconstrue the original language. > > Why don’t we go back to the original language. I’ve heard kids say, “That’s so gay” in response to being told, “Do your homework.” That’s perfectly acceptable, right, because it clearly has nothing to do with the established use of the word gay? I was going to comment on GaWd’s usage of the word “gay,” too, because he doesn’t use an analogous context to “pimp.” Anyhow, I use the words “pimp” and “pimpin’” as well, and while I do not think of prostitution or smackin’ hos when I say it, the word is _clearly_ linked to the original meaning of pimp. It’s a bit silly to say otherwise. The word is not completely divorced of its meaning. Ask anyone who uses the word what a “pimp” is, and I’m willing to bet you’ll see the connection with the original meaning. But I do like the word, it’s a fun bit of slang, and I will use it when the context suggests it. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/68 "2004-12-23T15:21:40Z")
:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/69 "2004-12-23T15:27:51Z")
So how does it differ from saying “Homework is gay?” Nobody in this context things “gay”=“homosexual” do they? But that’s where the word comes from, no? ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/70 "2004-12-23T16:09:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > So how does it differ from saying “Homework is gay?” Nobody in this context things “gay”=“homosexual” do they? But that’s where the word comes from, no? It’s pretty clear, at least to me, that by saying “homework is gay,” there is at least an implied connection that gay = bad, wrong, terrible, stupid, or whatever other negative connotations you want to place on it. Therefore, homework has those same connotations by association. We may now say it often enough that we have now mentally simply added “gay” as a word that mean “bad,” but there’s no reason to hide and pretend that the link isn’t there for a reason (that is, that being “gay” is also bad). There’s a reason why “gay” has been picked to have such a connotation, just as there’s a reason why “pimp” has been picked to have its own “side meanings”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/71 "2004-12-23T16:16:23Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > It’s pretty clear, at least to me, that by saying “homework is gay,” there is at least an implied connection that gay = bad, wrong, terrible, stupid, or whatever other negative connotations you want to place on it. Therefore, homework has those same connotations by association. > > We may now say it often enough that we have now mentally simply added “gay” as a word that mean “bad,” but there’s no reason to hide and pretend that the link isn’t there for a reason (that is, that being “gay” is also bad). There’s a reason why “gay” has been picked to have such a connotation, just as there’s a reason why “pimp” has been picked to have its own “side meanings”. That’s pretty much my argument with the word “pimp.” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/72 "2004-12-24T08:34:49Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > I’ve given in to the dark side. Sheeeeit dough, S’all good! I believe you mean “dawg”. ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/73 "2004-12-24T19:03:35Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Are you _sure_ you’ve only been out of high shcool for two years? The whole “pimp” style thing has been going of for a while now. Last ten years at least. You are probably right, but it could be that I was completely oblivious to other people aside from my friends. Well, not completely oblivious, but it’s just that I didn’t notice anyone wearing heavy gold chains, track suits that cost $1000, and women in both arms strolling down the halls. There was a bunch of “You stupid fag!” flying around, but pimp was never connotated as something good. Maybe my high school was different. That does not mean it wasn’t the worst place in the world, and the pits of hell would be preferred to it. > [@blowero](#): > > I have an all-purpose theory that I think covers this situation: > > People are idiots But why do they have to be idiots around me? > [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > Give me a break, people. When has youth culture or slang ever required an approving nod from its elders? If it bugs you, or confuses you, or makes you shake your head, then it’s doing its job. I was older than these girls by about three years. Does that really make me their elder? If so, that’s a scary thought. I’m all for offending elders. It cracks me right up when my parents get upset at my hot pink hair, but I think it’s completely different to offend your peers. **GaWd** , given the motto of the SDMB, I have to wonder why you keep saying the word “pimp” has nothing to do with actual pimps. I don’t blame you if you haven’t turned on MTV for a while, because damned if I do it voluntarily. However, if you did so for just two seconds, you will most likely catch a music video with some rapper in gold chains, sitting around with three or four women all over him, and he’s rapping about how he’s pimping all the hos and now he’s the granddaddy of the world! Argue that it’s art, but when two teenage girls take something that can be viewed objectively (if you tried really hard), and turn it to annotate something good, it makes me sad that they can’t think for themselves. Pimp has one meaning: to solicit prostitutes and take their money. If people say “You are pimp” to mean “You are cool”, where pimp=cool, then they’re really saying “Soliciting prostitutes and taking their money is cool”. I contend that stealing money from prostitutes is NOT cool. You can argue until your face is blue, but I only see two rebuttals I can give you. If you say “Most people don’t realise that pimp means someone who solicit women for sex. They just use it as an adjective. It’s slang, ya know?” then I will say “It’s pretty ignorant to use a word you don’t know the meaning of. You should really think twice before throwing around a word that MTV tells you is cool.” If you say “I know what pimp means. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to use it.” then I will say “You are stupid, and should be wiped from the gene pool.” “It’s taking longer than we thought” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/74 "2004-12-24T19:35:53Z")
> [@7 up yours](#): > > You are probably right, but it could be that I was completely oblivious to other people aside from my friends. Well, not completely oblivious, but it’s just that I didn’t notice anyone wearing heavy gold chains, track suits that cost $1000, and women in both arms strolling down the halls. There was a bunch of “You stupid fag!” flying around, but pimp was never connotated as something good. Maybe my high school was different. That does not mean it wasn’t the worst place in the world, and the pits of hell would be preferred to it. > But why do they have to be idiots around me? > I was older than these girls by about three years. Does that really make me their elder? If so, that’s a scary thought. I’m all for offending elders. It cracks me right up when my parents get upset at my hot pink hair, but I think it’s completely different to offend your peers. > > **GaWd** , given the motto of the SDMB, I have to wonder why you keep saying the word “pimp” has nothing to do with actual pimps. I don’t blame you if you haven’t turned on MTV for a while, because damned if I do it voluntarily. However, if you did so for just two seconds, you will most likely catch a music video with some rapper in gold chains, sitting around with three or four women all over him, and he’s rapping about how he’s pimping all the hos and now he’s the granddaddy of the world! Argue that it’s art, but when two teenage girls take something that can be viewed objectively (if you tried really hard), and turn it to annotate something good, it makes me sad that they can’t think for themselves. > > Pimp has one meaning: to solicit prostitutes and take their money. If people say “You are pimp” to mean “You are cool”, where pimp=cool, then they’re really saying “Soliciting prostitutes and taking their money is cool”. I contend that stealing money from prostitutes is NOT cool. You can argue until your face is blue, but I only see two rebuttals I can give you. If you say “Most people don’t realise that pimp means someone who solicit women for sex. They just use it as an adjective. It’s slang, ya know?” then I will say “It’s pretty ignorant to use a word you don’t know the meaning of. You should really think twice before throwing around a word that MTV tells you is cool.” > “It’s taking longer than we thought” I notice you keep using the word “cool” in your post. What does the temperature have to do with anything? Does this word mean something _else_ in this context? > [@](#): > > If you say “I know what pimp means. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to use it.” then I will say “You are stupid, and should be wiped from the gene pool.” So when you use “cool” as you have in your post, has someone told you that this use of “cool” is acceptable in this form? Is this a cultural thing? Is it slang? Do you really know what “cool” means? It means moderately cold or lacking in warmth. Do you still choose to use the word “cool” as you have in your previous post, even knowing what it really means? Are you stupid? Should you be wiped from the genepool too? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/75 "2004-12-24T19:44:10Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I remember when gay meant cheerful… You sure it isn’t "I remember when gay was _glee_full? ---
**Author:** ![TonyF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@TonyF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonyF)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/76 "2004-12-25T00:07:37Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > I notice you keep using the word “cool” in your post. What does the temperature have to do with anything? Does this word mean something _else_ in this context? I’ll jump the gun: your argument is still wrong. 😃 The root context of “cool” has little moral/ethic/cultural implication. Pimp does, gay does, rape does, gyp does, Jew does - etc. Context isn’t everything, I’m afraid. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/77 "2004-12-25T04:32:53Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > I believe you mean “dawg”. I was attempting to mimick a Homer Simpson sounding “D’oh” but with out the emphasis. However, “dawg” is a perfectly acceptable substitute. Judges? Yes, we will definitely also accept “dawg”. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063/78 "2004-12-25T06:23:24Z")
Since someone noticed pimps have money and power. The assumption being that having money and power is cool. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-being-a-pimp-cool/281063.md?page=3)