Pimping and Hacking: Oh My

Pimping and Hacking: Oh My!

A common phrase related to customizing that MySpace users like to throw around is "Pimp Your MySpace." We're not exactly thrilled by the choice of words, since "pimp" is a term associated with the exploitation of women. Even so, and thanks largely to the popular TV show "Pimp My Ride," the term has taken on a new connotation that means something like "customize," but it's really more than that. It's the process of personalizing one's space so that it's not just unique but pretty flashy.

Another word you might have heard teens use a lot is "hacks." Though the term "hacker" is commonly used to describe criminals who break into computer systems, it's also a term of endearment used to describe savvy computer users who figure out clever ways to make products and Web sites do incredible things. There are plenty of "MySpace hacks" that allow users to customize their pages. So as offensive as "pimp" is to some and "hacks" to others, in the world of MySpace they are seen by many as good things than can bring extra status to those who master them.