'Pimp' tied to cool, not prostitution

By ROSALIND HELDERMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 19, 2000

You're either a pimp or a ho.

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That's according to the Internet Web site of Pimpgear, the manufacturer of the hat Ephraim Sykes was wearing when he was asked to leave Tyrone Square Mall on Saturday.

For most people, the word "pimp" has a pretty standard, unpleasant meaning -- a man who controls prostitutes.

But according to the Rev. Manuel Sykes and his son, the word has a different meaning to today's teenagers.

"I don't know what it means to you, but to kids it means he's cool," the Rev. Sykes said.

Sykes said the mall personnel who kicked Ephraim out of the mall for wearing his hat sideways didn't have a problem with the hat's message -- and neither does he.

"I try to create some balance. I don't put my children in the position where they have to be different because they're minister's kids. He's not a pimp. What matters to me is that he's respectful and law-abiding," he said.

The Pimpgear Web site says a person wearing the word pimp indicates that he is in control, that he is a pimp and not a ho, or prostitute.

"These days the word 'pimp' is found everywhere -- in music, in conversation, and in print -- referring to someone who does their own thing, while not 'prostituting' themselves to anyone," the clothing line's Web site reads.

Both Demo and Hot Topics, stores in Tyrone Square Mall, once carried Pimpgear line clothing but no longer do.

Ephraim Sykes purchased his Pimpgear hat on a school trip to Washington, D.C., in May.

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