rigmarole
noun/ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/
/ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/
(North American English also rigamarole)
[uncountable, singular]- a long and complicated process that is annoying and seems unnecessary
- I couldn't face the whole rigmarole of getting a work permit again.
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- 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.
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rigmarole