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illustration Rigmarole

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.

illustration Rigmarole

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