rigmarole
UK /ˈɹɪɡməɹəʊl/ · US /ˈɹɪɡməɹoʊl/ noun, adjective
Forms rigmaroles rigamarole
- noun A long and complicated formal procedure. “Have you seen all the rigmarole you have to go through at airport security these days?”
- noun (dated) Confused and incoherent talk; nonsense. “If you are alluding to Dostoevski’s worst novels, then, indeed, I dislike intensely The Karamazov Brothers and the ghastly Crime and Punishment rigmarole.”
- adjective Characterized by rigmarole; prolix; tedious.
Synonyms
carry-on circus act palaver riddle me ree babble blather gibberish migmarole absurdity all my eye all my eye and Betty Martin apple grease applesauce bafflegab balderdash balls baloney banana oil Bandini baragouin rigamarole
Etymology
From ragman roll (“long list; catalogue”). Recorded since c1736.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A succession of confused or nonsencial statements; foolish talk; nonsense. [Colloq.]
- adjective Consisting of rigmarole; frovolous; nonsensical; foolish.
Etymology [For ragman roll. See Ragman's roll.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “rigmarole”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details