While we're debating what's fair and what's not, how about Cockney rhyming slang? Sleuth setting for the Financial Times (puzzle No. 14,193) thinks it's OK. Here's the clue and the intersecting letter I managed to get (*):
19a Roughage about to follow pork pie. (5) _ _ B _ _
Can you figure it out? Answer is below the fold.
Rhyming slang is certainly unfamiliar to us Americans, but would you be OK with a themed puzzle using rhyming slang in each of the theme answers? Cryptic solvers tend to like this kind of fun with words, so I think it would be OK as long as solvers are warned what to expect. While rhyming slang was originated to conceal vulgar words, I don't think it would work in the locker room or on the ice here. Even slightly intelligent humor tends to fly over the players and coaches heads.
*--I liked the intersecting clue as well
20d It might describe a lair a nob planned? (8)
19a FIB | RE RE ("about": remember it's British spelling!) following ("to follow") FIB (lie: for which the Cockney rhyming slang is "pork pie")
20d *BARONIAL *LAIR A NOB ("nob:" royalty or at least peerage, see "his nibs" in the game of cribbage)
Full solution by Jed at Fifteensquared: http://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/12/21/financial-times-14193-by-sleuth/
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