rubegoldbergian

/ɹuːbɡəʊldˈbəːɡɪən/

rubegoldbergian means achieving a simple objective by absurdly complicated means; overcomplicated, elaborate and impractical.

rubegoldbergian is pronounced /ɹuːbɡəʊldˈbəːɡɪən/.

Why “rubegoldbergian” is a great word

Achieving a simple objective by absurdly complicated, over-elaborate, and often impractical means. From the name of Rube Goldberg (1883–1970), an American cartoonist famous for depicting complex devices for simple tasks, + the suffix -ian, meaning 'characteristic of or pertaining to'. Unlike 'intricate,' which suggests fine and deliberate workmanship, or 'elaborate,' which implies careful, often admirable, development, *Rube Goldbergian* describes a system where complexity is the point, where the journey is a spectacularly inefficient parody of purpose. It is the domino-falling, pulley-swinging, balloon-popping machine that, after a minute of glorious clatter, butters a single piece of toast; the bureaucratic form requiring three signatures to procure a pencil; the personal ritual of sixteen quiet steps to avoid waking a sleeping cat. It is the particular genius of human beings to prefer the baroque solution, as if the journey itself, however wasteful, were the only point worth making.

Etymology

From Rube Goldberg + -ian.

adj

Achieving a simple objective by absurdly complicated means; overcomplicated, elaborate and impractical.