The park is still 'private' with a fence around it. This sounds like a more plausible explanation, but than most that have been posted. I read a lot of irony in the song; even in the 1890's when the song was written the streets and sidewalks of NY were nasty - all the horses; playing 'London Bridge is falling' down in an Irish neighborhood. On Feb 25, 2005, at 11:58 AM, [log in to unmask] wrote: > > Hello All. After further research and asking some "old folks," I do > believe the "G" means Gramercy Park, because several older NYer's have > told me that it was still a term when they were young. "Up in > G." I was told by a 92 year old woman that "not only was the rich > and famous up in G, but they had fancy fences around the gardens > and Parks to keep the poor folks out." Originally meaning Gramercy > Park and referring to the "hoytie toytie's" who became more > sophisticated and moved uptown to "Gramercy Park," it became a phrase > for anyone who moved "up and out of the neighborhood" and sometimes > meaning "they think they're too good for us." I am currently > researching and writing a book about Old Manhattan and I truly > appreciate this type of discussion, very colorful and thought > provoking. I would appreciate any one else who would mention old > "sayings" "Colloquialism's" and "slang words" used exclusively in NEW > YORK. Thanks. > Jazz is freedom. - T. Monk