Something given free to people in need, such as money, food, or assistance. Also refers to printed material distributed for information, such as at meetings or classes.
Compound word from 'hand' and 'out,' literally meaning something handed out or distributed. First appeared in American English in the early 20th century, initially referring to charitable giving and later expanding to informational materials.
The negative connotations of 'handout' versus the positive connotations of 'gift' reveal interesting social attitudes—the same action can be seen as generous giving or dependency-creating charity depending on the relationship between giver and receiver. Language shapes how we think about social assistance.
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