rigmarole

== English == === Alternative forms === rigamarole === Etymology === From ragman roll (“long list; catalogue”). Recorded since c1736. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪɡməɹəʊl/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪɡməɹoʊl/ === Noun === rigmarole (countable and uncountable, plural rigmaroles) A long and complicated formal procedure. Synonyms: carry-on, circus act, palaver, riddle me ree; see also Thesaurus:rigmarole (dated) Confused and incoherent talk; nonsense. Synonyms: babble, blather, gibberish, migmarole; see also Thesaurus:nonsense 1880, Rosina Bulwer Lytton, A Blighted Life, sxn 4: His reply did not even allude to the subject, but was a rigmarole about the weather; as if he had been writing to an idiot, who did not require a rational answer to any question they had asked. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === rigmarole Characterized by rigmarole; prolix; tedious. Synonyms: long-winded, palaverous; see also Thesaurus:verbose, Thesaurus:wearisome === References === “rigmarole”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “rigmarole”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. === Further reading === Michael Quinion (1996–2026), “Rigmarole”, in World Wide Words.