The Onion

Fake news source

The Onion is an American satirical news publication that parodies mainstream journalism with deadpan fake headlines and articles.

Founded in 1988, it became widely known for absurdist humor presented in the straight-faced style of legitimate news: Area Man Passionate Defender Of What He Imagines Constitution To Be.

The format has been so convincing that real news outlets have occasionally mistaken its stories for fact.

satire

parody

Satirical imitation

  • lampoonHarsh public mockery
  • mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
  • spoofComic exaggerated imitation

caricature · send-up · takedown · exaggeration · absurdism · deadpan · tongue-in-cheek · ridicule · critique · travesty

publication

newspaper

Printed periodical of current events

  • journalismNews gathering and dissemination
  • editorialPublication's official viewpoint article
  • articleWritten piece or grammatical word

headline · press · column · byline · editor-in-chief · masthead · print · online · commentary · opinion

humor

comedy

Work meant to amuse

  • witClever, inventive humor
  • ironyMeaning opposite to words
  • sarcasmIrony used to mock

jokes · puns · banter · quips · drollery · levity · mirth · hilarity · absurdity · gags

Categories
Opposites
journalistic authenticity

The OnionReuters

London-based wire service

The New York Times · The Washington Post · BBC News · NPR · The Wall Street Journal

tonal register

The Onionserious

Weighty and requiring attention

earnest · solemn · grave · sober · somber

media credibility positioning

The Onionpublic broadcasting

Government or donor-funded media

Family

onion, reunion, onions, unions, disunion, unionist, unionize, unionism, nonunion

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG