Rigmarole
[ri-gə-mə-ˌrōl]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: English, mid 18th century
1.
Incoherent or nonsensical chatter
2.
A long, complex procedure, sometimes designed to confuse
Examples of Rigmarole in a sentence
"The senator, during the filibuster, went on and on with his rambling rigmarole."
"The rigmarole involved with becoming a certified pilot is complicated, but it's worthwhile."
About Rigmarole
During the Middle Ages, a “ragman roll” was a collection of documents that Scottish nobles used to declare their loyalty to King Edward I of England. The documents were long and complex — similar in meaning to the modern word they became: rigmarole.
Did you Know?
Rigmarole has been so often misused with an extra a, as rigamarole, that both forms are now accepted in English.
