The word "rigmarole" is often misspelled due to its unusual orthography. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈrɪɡməroʊl/. The root of this word is "rig," meaning "to bind or tie," and "marole," meaning "confused or nonsensical talk." Together, they form "rigmarole," meaning a lengthy and confused piece of talk or writing. Many commonly misspell this word as "rigamarole" or "rickamarole," but it is important to use the correct spelling to ensure clear communication.
Rigmarole is a noun that refers to a lengthy and complicated procedure, often involving unnecessary steps or meaningless tasks. It can also describe a long and rambling or confusing speech or story. The term is typically used in a negative sense to convey annoyance or frustration toward a convoluted and time-consuming process or to criticize someone's excessive or pointless verbosity.
Originating in the 18th century, "rigmarole" likely, though not conclusively, derives from the combination of the words "rig," meaning to dress up or equip, and "marole," an archaic term used to refer to a song or a peal of bells. The original usage of the term referred to the rags used by actors to improvise a costume or disguise, suggesting a random assortment or assemblage. Over time, "rigmarole" has since expanded in meaning to encompass the concept of a complex and unnecessary system or discourse.
The word can be applied to various scenarios such as bureaucratic red tape, complicated instructions or procedures, and long-winded explanations or stories. It often implies a sense of frustration, exasperation, or impatience on the part of the speaker or listener, reflecting a desire for brevity, efficiency, or clarity. Overall, "rigmarole" is reserved for situations involving unnecessary complexities or tedious processes that hinder progress or communication.
• A succession of confused or nonsensical sentences or statements.
• Pert. to or consisting of rigmarole; nonsensical.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "rigmarole" is derived from the French term "ric-ma-role", which dates back to the late 16th century. However, its precise origin and meaning are unclear. It is believed to have been a nonsensical or meaningless chant or incantation used in medieval French theatrical productions. Over time, "rigmarole" evolved to refer to a lengthy, complex, or confusing procedure or set of circumstances.