Crocodile tears, or superficial sympathy, is a colloquial term used to describe a false, insincere display of emotion, such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their prey and, as such, is present in many modern languages, especially in Europe, where it was introduced through Latin.
Crocodile tears, or superficial sympathy, is a colloquial term used to describe a false, insincere display of emotion, such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The phrase derives from an ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their prey and, as such, is present in many modern languages, especially in Europe, where it was introduced through Latin.
Source: Wikipedia "Crocodile tears" · CC BY-SA 4.0
Share this article: X · Bluesky