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

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