Since crocodiles can't cry where did the saying "crying crocodile tears" come from?

undudelike

The theater. The origin is actually in terms of theater. When an actor/actress is supposed to cry in a particular scene they use the term "To make Crocodile Tears". Since crocodile's can't cry, it's sort of an... Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_crocodiles_tears#ixzz18rGaP4l1 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_crocodiles_tears Dec 22 10, 10:20 AM

undudelike

It's sort of an inside slang between people of the theater. (The only way for Crocodile's to cry is for them to fake it). Dec 22 10, 10:23 AM

author

Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false or insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. The expression comes from an ancient anecdote that crocodiles weep in order to lure their prey, or that they cry for the victims they are eating. This tale was first spread widely in the stories of the travels of Sir John Mandeville in the 14th century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears Dec 22 10, 2:34 PM