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Reader question: Please explain “crocodile tears” in this sentence: They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged but are basically happy with things as they are. My comments: Here, “they” can be anyone who gets emotional talking about the poor but is actually happy with the status quo, i.e. will do nothing to change the system – or to actually help the poor by, for example, creating and finding jobs for them. In other words, their tears are insincere, just for show. That’s why they’re called “crocodile tears”. Since ancient times, people have noticed that crocodiles shed tears while feeding and have therefore wondered why these cold-blooded beasts are so remorseful and sorry for their victims. Well, those tears are not remorseful or sorrowful. They are just there to moisten their eyes – or insofar as science has found out. As for exactly why they are shed while crocodiles are feasting on a prey, it is perhaps just another odd fact of animal life. At any rate, when humans shed tears that are considered insincere, those tears of emotion are called crocodile tears. For example, a middle-aged prince may wale about the demise of the king in public and shed a lot of tears for everyone to see, some of those tears are those of a crocodile because in secret, this particular heir to the thrown has long been pining for his father’s death for years. | 
