Nicknames are generally a sign of affection. I love the monkey puzzler dearly. All in our family refer to him as Arry, mainly because we’ve always struggled to pronounce his name – Owrickairia … Arrowkeeria, and so on. Sad, but true.

I like your clue because it links cockney with Pearly Kings and Queens and also because it suggests we’re all unworthy swine, which is true! My clue would be:

Prince of the grid can’t be topped – but he is! (4)

which has a slight Araucarian cheekiness about it.

I’m afraid Arry’s just beginning to lose it though, in his advancing years. I believe clues should spark a tiny picture in one’s mind that is whole; they should say something, however brief, that makes sense – even if it’s a crazy crossword-ese sense, if you know what I mean. But so often now the reverend’s clues are a meaningless string of clue parts without an overall picture being drawn. I don’t mean an overall picture of the answer. I’m drivelling (not unusual) without examples, so next time I see one (by him or anybody else) I’ll submit it for comment.

cockney hassle disrespects the king of pearls (4)

stiofain

As to hidden words, I was told early on (by those who taught me everything I know, but not everything they themselves know) to consider them not only an opportunity to shine with a really decent indicator, but also as the perfect chance to let solvers in, especially in the case of a generally tough puzzle. But, even if times have changed to the extent Geoff suggests, ‘for’ as a hidden indicator is more than just ‘difficult’ – it’s downright unrecognisable, and that shurely can’t be fair.

Having been clever and spotted it, I’m not exactly sure how satisfied I’d feel. Poor me.

“Posh ‘smart’ is essentially non-U but, recently, it has gained ground among schoolboys of all classes”

So, I think that provides completely canonical support for “smart” for U! (Apologies to Gordius for doubting…)