rigmarole

UK: ˈrɪɡmərəʊl | US: ˈrɪɡməroʊl

Definition

  1. n. a lengthy, complicated, and often pointless procedure or story

  2. n. (historical) a nonsense phrase or meaningless discourse

Structure
rig <possibly "rag" or "row">ma <possibly meaningless filler>role <list or roll>
Etymology

The word "rigmarole" originated in the 16th century as "ragman roll," referring to a long list or catalog, often used in legal or bureaucratic contexts. Over time, it evolved into "rigmarole," losing its literal meaning and acquiring a pejorative sense of tedious, convoluted speech or procedure. The morphemes are speculative, as the exact roots are unclear, but the word likely combines fragments suggesting disorder or triviality ("rig," "ma") with the idea of a list or sequence ("role").

Examples

  1. The contract signing turned into a bureaucratic rigmarole that lasted hours.

  2. She dismissed his excuse as a pointless rigmarole.

  3. The old man entertained us with a rigmarole about his youth.

  4. Cutting through the legal rigmarole, the judge made a swift decision.

  5. Don’t give me that rigmarole—just tell me the truth.