Definition of "rigmarole"

Often one's dear friend talks something which one scruples to call rigmarole.

1847, Thomas De Quincey, “Secret Societies”, in Tait's Edinburgh Magazine

While you are planting the seed, he cries -- "Drop it, drop it -- cover it up, cover it up -- pull it up, pull it up, pull it up." But this was not corn, and so it was safe from such enemies as he. You may wonder what his rigmarole, his amateur Paganini performances on one string or on twenty, have to do with your planting, and yet prefer it to leached ashes or plaster.

1854, Henry David Thoreau, chapter VII, in Walden

His reply did not even allude to the subject, but was a rigmarole about the weather; as if he had been writing to an idiot, who did not require a rational answer to any question they had asked.

1880, Rosina Bulwer Lytton, A Blighted Life, sxn 4

"Stuff and nonsense, and lying rigmaroles!" he growled, as I vanished through the door[.]

1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 250

In comes Mitaiele to Lloyd, and told some rigmarole about Paatalise (the steward's name) wanting to go and see his family in the bush.

1895, Robert Louis Stevenson, chapter XIX, in The Valima Letters

"Quite so," said Adèle comfortably. "Now let us be sensible and dine. We can amuse ourselves with mademoiselle's rigmaroles afterwards."

1910, A. E. W. Mason, chapter XVII, in At the Villa Rose

He seemed to brace himself for a great effort, and then started on the queerest rigmarole.

1915, John Buchan, chapter 1, in The Thirty-Nine Steps