The word handicap is known to originate
from the old English trading game Hand-in-cap. The game was based on
trading possessions, and proceedings would take place with the help
of an umpire. The umpire had a responsibility to decide if the items
were valued the same, and if not, he had to decide what the
difference was. The two players then put the money in a cap. They
had to place their hands in the cap and subsequently remove them
either holding money or not, to show if they had accepted the terms
of the deal.
Other uses for the word handicap include a condition that markedly
restricts a person’s ability to function physically, mentally, or
socially. The word also means a disadvantage imposed on a superior
competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive
sailing in order to make the chance of winning more equal.