‘La Cebolla?’ Satirical website The Onion sells stake to Univision

Most business merger stories have no need for a "this is not a joke" disclaimer, but this one did: Spanish-language media giant Univision Communications Inc [UVN.UL] announced a deal on Tuesday to buy a stake in humor website "The Onion."

There was instant social media outpouring about what the future holds for a site whose satirical news stories skewer topics from gun ownership in the United States to the cliched dullness of media articles about ordinary people.

La cebolla - Spanish for the onion - prompted some of the wit. "Univision buys controlling stake in the @TheOnion. Will now be . . .