Do Crocodiles Really Cry? The Surprising Truth Behind “Magarmachh Ke Aansu”
Do Crocodiles Really Cry? The Surprising Truth Behind “Magarmachh Ke Aansu”
“Magarmachh ke aansu mat baha!” — This phrase is deeply rooted in our culture, often used when someone fakes emotion to manipulate or gain sympathy. But have you ever stopped to think about where this saying came from? Why do we associate fake tears with crocodiles of all creatures? As strange as it sounds, the origin of this popular idiom lies in actual animal behavior — and science has a fascinating explanation.
Yes, crocodiles really do cry. Scientists have observed that while crocodiles eat, especially when they’re feeding on dry land, tears can be seen streaming from their eyes. But these aren’t emotional tears. According to a study published in the journal BioScience, the act of crying in crocodiles is a purely physical response. When they chew and move their jaws, certain facial muscles press against their tear glands, causing tears to flow. It’s a mechanical process — completely unrelated to any feelings of guilt, pain, or sadness.
That’s where the irony comes in. Imagine a cold-blooded predator ruthlessly devouring its prey, while tears roll down its face. It looks emotional, but it’s entirely superficial. Early observers saw this strange behavior and misunderstood it as the crocodile feeling remorse while killing. That bizarre mix of cruelty and tears became symbolic — and that’s how the crocodile, or magarmachh, became the face of fake sympathy in language and culture. The expression “crocodile tears” — or in Hindi, “magarmachh ke aansu” — became a metaphor for false displays of emotion. The phrase stuck around because it perfectly captured the idea of someone pretending to care while doing harm.
Crocodiles, like many reptiles, do have some basic instincts and survival behaviors. However, they lack the emotional complexity of mammals. They don’t feel remorse or empathy in the way humans do. So when we see them cry, it’s not because they’re sad — it’s because their biology makes it happen during certain actions, especially eating.
Interestingly, their eyes also play a protective role. When crocodiles are on land and out of water for a while, their eyes can start to dry out. The tears help keep them moist. So crying in crocodiles may serve more than one purpose — but none of it is emotional.
That’s why the saying still holds power today. When someone is putting on a show of emotion — crying not out of real feeling but for personal gain — we call it shedding crocodile tears. It’s a phrase backed not just by culture, but also by biology.
