I’m reading a book that claims Old West pimps were called Pi’s. Is that pronounced like Pees or Pies?

I’m reading a book that claims Old West pimps were called Pi’s. Is that pronounced like Pees or Pies? Kriya Singh New York, New York I’ve never heard that one, but if they did, it would most likely be pronounced like “pies” because if it was “pees,” they would have just spelled it “p’s”.  Speaking of the oldest profession, cowboys used to call the newfangled, factory-made cigarettes “pimp sticks,” because pimps were the only ones who could afford to buy them. You can daz