rigmarole
/ˈrɪɡməroʊl/
noun
- A long, complicated, and confusing process or set of rules.
- I had to go through the whole rigmarole of filling out forms just to get a library card.
- She explained the rigmarole for getting a visa, which involved several appointments and documents.
- The company's refund policy is such a rigmarole that most people give up.
- A long, rambling, and meaningless story or explanation.
- The politician's speech was just a rigmarole of empty promises.
- He gave us some rigmarole about his car breaking down, but no one believed him.
- I don't have time to listen to your rigmarole; just tell me what happened.