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:
Comic Sans MSHello 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.
0000,0000,DDDDJazz is freedom. - T.
Monk