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

After all the rigmarole, they found what any pediatrician already knew: the MMR causes fever.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, that rigmarole about the cardinal is all nonsense.

From Project Gutenberg

But it came back to him afterward, and seemed to bear out the Countess's rigmarole.

From Project Gutenberg

I am sure that no one who has seen all this radical rigmarole, as I have had occasion to see it, can be deceived by it.

From Project Gutenberg

It's a rigmarole because the boy is a Rigmarole and we've come to Rigmarole Town.

From Project Gutenberg

But now, what confused rigmarole are you bringing to my ears?

From Project Gutenberg