rigmarole
noun /ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/
/ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/
(North American English also rigamarole
[uncountable, singular] /ˈrɪɡəmərəʊl/
/ˈrɪɡəmərəʊl/
)- a long and complicated process that is annoying and seems unnecessary
- I couldn't face the whole rigmarole of getting a work permit again.
- a long and complicated story
- She turned up an hour late with some rigmarole about catching the wrong train.
Word Originmid 18th cent.: apparently an alteration of ragman roll, originally denoting a legal document recording a list of offences.