rigmarole

American  

[rig-muh-rohl] / ˈrɪg məˌroʊl /

Also rigamarole

noun

1. an elaborate or complicated procedure.

   to go through the rigmarole of a formal dinner.

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

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rigmarole British  

/ ˈrɪɡməˌrəʊl /

noun

1. any long complicated procedure

2. a set of incoherent or pointless statements; garbled nonsense

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of rigmarole

First recorded in 1730–40; alteration of ragman roll

Example Sentences

So the next time he goes through the same rigmarole, nobody will take it seriously.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2025

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 • Apr. 4, 2024

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

From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2022

Yet fan parks, which do not require the rigmarole of lateral flow tests, have been well attended.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2022

“Oh, gracious! What shall I say?” cried Sallie, as Fred ended his rigmarole, in which he had jumbled together pell-mell nautical phrases and facts out of one of his favorite books.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott