Check it out (below). Ed is British. I knew that, but the accent is still funny. I listen to the BBC, so it didn't feel like bloggingheads.tv, rather, I thought it was the World Service.
But it is certainly not 'RP' = Received Pronunciation (or 'BBC English').
Given that he attended Cambridge University this is likely a version of 'Mockney' - a London-ish accent adopted (often unconsciously) by posh people usually in their mid- to late-teens - presumably so they can at least superficially appear to be 'one of the people'.
Sometimes this is very successful in show biz - Jamie Oliver (chef), Nigel Kennedy (violinist), Phil Tufnell (ex cricketer) are all well known Mockney accented British media stars (and all talented too - I should add - as Ed Yong seems to be).
What's your accent, Razib?
Razib only speaks in a complicated series of clicks and whistles.
Ed Yong's accent is a mildish version of Estuary English - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estuary_English.
But it is certainly not 'RP' = Received Pronunciation (or 'BBC English').
Given that he attended Cambridge University this is likely a version of 'Mockney' - a London-ish accent adopted (often unconsciously) by posh people usually in their mid- to late-teens - presumably so they can at least superficially appear to be 'one of the people'.
Sometimes this is very successful in show biz - Jamie Oliver (chef), Nigel Kennedy (violinist), Phil Tufnell (ex cricketer) are all well known Mockney accented British media stars (and all talented too - I should add - as Ed Yong seems to be).
Talented, perhaps; but can he bowl slow left arm?
Oh you did not just compare me to Jamie Oliver!