rigmarole

[ rig-muh-rohl ]

noun

1. an elaborate or complicated procedure:

   to go through the rigmarole of a formal dinner.

2. confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk.

rigmarole

/ ˈrɪɡməˌrəʊl /

noun

1. any long complicated procedure
2. a set of incoherent or pointless statements; garbled nonsense

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigmarole¹

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of ragman roll

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigmarole¹

C18: from earlier ragman roll a list, probably a roll used in a medieval game, wherein various characters were described in verse, beginning with Ragemon le bon Ragman the good

Example Sentences

Even though she wants to stay informed, Fox said, she has taken a step back from keeping up with the daily rigmarole of politics.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she has trouble with computers and requested a paper test, but that led to a whole additional rigmarole.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was a journalist for 20 years and I can spot marketing rigmarole and a contrived script. You have to be your crude, authentic self to attract your audience."

From BBC

“Matterhorn” fused those elements by incorporating the internal lives of the characters into the daily rigmarole of military life.

From Washington Post

Passengers departing from here do not have to go through the same security rigmarole as they do in major airports.

From Washington Post

More About Rigmarole

What is a rigmarole?

A rigmarole is an elaborate or complicated procedure, as in Registering and insuring a car involves a lot of rigmarole.

A rigmarole is any process or procedure that is overly complicated to the point that it may seem pointless or annoying to those who have to complete it. People will often refer to long, drawn-out explanations or formal introductions as rigmaroles. They will also frequently describe repetitive procedures, such as checking in, waiting in line for, or signing up for something, as rigmaroles.

A rigmarole can also be confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk, as in The speaker just gave us a lot of rigmarole instead of any insight into the problem. This meaning is almost always used as an insult relating to speeches one disagrees with or an explanation that may have been too complex for them to understand. It is also sometimes used in reference to someone who speaks extremely fast or who uses obtuse or foreign vocabulary when speaking.

Rigmarole can also be spelled rigamarole, which is pronounced rig-uh-ma-rohl.

Example: Before I give the whole rigmarole, I would like to introduce my co-hosts.

Where does rigmarole come from?

The first records of the term rigmarole come from around the 1730s. It is a variation of the term ragman roll, meaning “a long list.”

The term rigmarole is a colloquialism of the obsolete term ragman roll. The ragman rolls were a collection of parchment documents provided by a large group of Scottish clan nobles in the late 1200s. The collection was made up of deeds, agreements, and similar documents assigning the nobles’ allegiance to the king of England at the time, Edward I, after they were pressured to do so by English soldiers. 

While the origin of ragman is unknown, the term ragman roll came to be used to mean “a long list or record,” based on the idea of the long list of nobles who signed the original ragman rolls.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to rigmarole?

• rigamarole (alternative spelling)

What are some synonyms for rigmarole?

• bafflegab
• double-talk
• gibberish
• babble

What are some words that share a root or word element with rigmarole? 

• rag
• man
• roll

What are some words that often get used in discussing rigmarole?

• formality
• process
• speech

How is rigmarole used in real life?

Rigmarole is a fun word to say when you have to describe something as repetitive or pointless.

Am I the only one who can’t remember a password until I go through the rigmarole of setting up a new one, only to be found that whatever word just popped into my head is the password I already used?

— (((gina grad))) (@GinaGrad) June 26, 2021

No pet pics this morning, as I’m all tapped out – and I’ve been too busy unpacking to take any fresh ones, sorry. Will get back to the usual rigmarole soon, I promise.

— Cherie Priest (@cmpriest) July 22, 2019

I've so far been a very satisfied (& prolific) customer of @amazonIN, it's made life easier, & customer svc was excllnt incl occasional returns/refunds without hassle. But last week has been a nightmare resolving 2 items that were never delivered. Run around & rigmarole still on!

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) June 16, 2018

Try using rigmarole!

True or False?

A concert featuring one band would be a rigmarole.