How to Pronounce Crocodile Tears Syndrome

Say it like this: KROK-oh-dyl TEERZ SIN-drohm. The first word sounds like the animal 'crocodile,' the second word rhymes with 'cheers,' and the last word is 'syndrome' (a group of things that happen together). The stress falls on KROK in the first word and SIN in the last word.

The name comes from an old saying that crocodiles cry fake tears while eating their food. This syndrome causes tears to flow from the eye while a person is eating, which looks similar to that idea—tears appearing at mealtime. The name is descriptive and helps doctors remember what happens with this condition.

Syndrome means a group of signs or events that happen together as part of one condition. In medical language, when doctors say 'syndrome,' they're describing a pattern or collection of things that occur at the same time, rather than just one single thing.

Yes—doctors also call it Bogorad's syndrome (BOH-goh-rahdz SIN-drohm), named after the doctor who first described it. You might see it written as either name in medical texts, but 'Crocodile Tears Syndrome' is the easier-to-remember everyday term.

Break it like this: KROK-oh-dyl (3 syllables) + TEERZ (1 syllable) + SIN-drohm (2 syllables). Putting it together, you have six syllables total: KROK-oh-dyl TEERZ SIN-drohm.

Many people stress the wrong syllable and say 'krok-oh-DYLE' instead of 'KROK-oh-dyl.' Remember: the stress belongs on the first syllable—KROK—not on the last part of the word. Think of the animal name: CROC-oh-dile.

Here's an example: 'The patient's doctor explained that Crocodile Tears Syndrome was a rare complication that could happen after certain facial nerve conditions.' This shows how the term might appear in a conversation between a doctor and a patient.

'Crocodile' comes from Greek and refers to the animal. 'Tears' is an English word for the liquid that comes from eyes. 'Syndrome' comes from Greek syn- (meaning 'together') and -drome (meaning 'running' or 'occurrence'). Together, syndrome means things that happen together.