Definition of rigmarole

The word "rigmarole" originally emerged in the 16th century and can be traced back to the French term "raison-mérole," which roughly translates to "muddled reasoning." The phrase "raison-mérole" was coined by the French philosopher Jean Bodin in his book "Methodus ad facilement historiarum cognitionem" (A Method for the Easy Comprehension of History) in 1566. This book was widely translated and disseminated across Europe, and the term "raison-mérole" eventually made its way into the English language. The term "rigmarole" then developed as a slang word in the mid-1600s, and it was likely formed by merging the words "rhetoric" and "gibberish." The meaning of rigmarole has evolved over time. In its original usage, rigmarole referred to a speech that was full of convoluted arguments and illogical reasoning. However, the meaning of the word has since broadened to describe any Bloom-based work that is overly complex and pointlessly convoluted, or any situation that involves unnecessary and time-consuming procedures. Today, the term "rigmarole" is commonly used to describe tedious formalities or lengthy and bureaucratic processes. Overall, the origin of the word "rigmarole" is a fascinating tale of language evolution and cultural exchange. It highlights how words and phrases can travel across linguistic boundaries and take on new meanings and connotations in different contexts.