Where does the expression “crocodile tears” come from?

When we use the expression “shedding crocodile tears” we are usually referring to someone who feigns pain or sadness. The origin of this expression comes from the moment when crocodiles devour their prey and as a consequence they cry.

Like humans, crocodiles secrete tears to lubricate, cleanse and nourish the cornea, but the action of crying at feeding time could be caused by breathing while chewing, which would press on the lacrimal glands and eventually secrete fluid into the crocodiles’ eyes.

In humans there is the so-called Bogorad Syndrome or better known as crocodile tears syndrome, which is a sequel to peripheral facial paralysis in which defective regeneration of the facial nerve causes patients to shed tears while eating.

*Summary extracted from the text by Óscar Cusó for National Geographic.