rigamarole
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A long, complicated, and often pointless or confusing procedure or process: A series of actions or steps that are unnecessarily complex, tedious, or bureaucratic. 2. A set of confused, rambling, or meaningless statements: Nonsensical or incoherent talk.
Usage
The word "rigamarole" (also commonly spelled "rigmarole") is used to express frustration or annoyance with overly complex, time-wasting formalities or with nonsensical, confusing language. It has a negative connotation, implying that the process or talk is unnecessarily burdensome or silly.
Examples
Noun (Procedure):
- "I had to go through a whole rigamarole just to get a replacement library card."
- "The rigamarole of airport security can be exhausting."
- "Let's skip the usual rigamarole and get straight to the point."
Noun (Statements):
- "He gave me some rigamarole about his dog eating the report, but I didn't believe him."
- "The contract was full of legal rigamarole that was hard to understand."
Advanced Usage
- "All that rigamarole": A common phrase used to dismiss a preceding series of complicated actions or explanations as a waste of time.
- "After all that rigamarole, they told me the simplest solution."
Variants and Related Words
- Rigmarole: The more standard and frequent spelling of the same word. "Rigamarole" is an accepted variant.
- Red tape (noun): Official rules and procedures that seem unnecessary and cause delay (similar to the "procedure" meaning).
- Mumbo jumbo (noun): Language or ritual that is incomprehensible or meaningless (similar to the "statements" meaning).
Synonyms
- For procedure: Fuss, hassle, palaver, bureaucracy, complication.
- For statements: Nonsense, gibberish, gobbledygook, drivel, balderdash.
Related Idioms
- A song and dance: An elaborate story or effort, often intended to deceive or distract (related in implying unnecessary complexity or evasion).
- "He gave me a song and dance about why he was late, but it was just rigamarole."
Noun
- a long and complicated and confusing procedure
- all that academic rigmarole was a waste of time
- a set of confused and meaningless statements