A handicap is a condition or disadvantage that makes it harder for someone to do something. In sports, it can also mean a system that gives weaker players an advantage so the game is fairer.
The word may come from the phrase “hand in cap,” an old game in which players put money in a cap and an official adjusted the stakes to make the trade fair. Over time, the idea of ‘adjusting for fairness’ moved into sports and then into talking about disadvantages.
Because of its history and how it’s been used about people, “handicap” is now considered outdated or offensive in many contexts. People usually prefer “disability” or “person with a disability,” which focuses on the person, not just the limitation.
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