handicap (English)
Where does "handicap" come from?
The English noun 'handicap' originates from the phrase 'hand-in-cap'[1], referring to an old English trading game where stakes were held in a cap[1]. Over time, the term shifted from this game to describe a race or contest involving equalization allowances like time, distance, or weight, eventually broadening to mean any disadvantage that hinders success.
Open questions
- The exact transition mechanism from the card game or trading game to modern athletic handicapping relies on closely related historical contest practices. [1]
Full etymology tree
- handicap (English), 'Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.'
- derived hand-in-cap (English), 'An old English trading game where two players want to trade possessions. An umpire decides whether the items have the same value, and if not, what the difference is. Both players and umpire then put some forfeit money in a cap. The players put their hands in the cap, and then remove them either open, to signal agreement with the valuation, or closed, to signal disagreement. If both players agree, the difference in valuation is paid, the items are traded, and the umpire collects the forfeit. If both players disagree, the items are not traded, and the umpire collects the forfeit. If one player agrees and the other does not, the items are not traded, and the player who agreed to the valuation collects the forfeit.'
- compound hand (English), 'The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals.'
- compound in (English), 'Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or abstract limits.'
- compound cap (English), 'A close-fitting hat, either brimless or peaked.'
- derived hand-in-cap (English), 'An old English trading game where two players want to trade possessions. An umpire decides whether the items have the same value, and if not, what the difference is. Both players and umpire then put some forfeit money in a cap. The players put their hands in the cap, and then remove them either open, to signal agreement with the valuation, or closed, to signal disagreement. If both players agree, the difference in valuation is paid, the items are traded, and the umpire collects the forfeit. If both players disagree, the items are not traded, and the umpire collects the forfeit. If one player agrees and the other does not, the items are not traded, and the player who agreed to the valuation collects the forfeit.'
Descendants and derived words
- Benghazi Handicap (English)
- handicamp (English)
- handicapism (English)
- handicapitalism (English)
- handicappable (English)
- handicapper (English)
- handicap principle (English)
- handiphobia (English)
- nonhandicap (English)
- overhandicap (English)
- polyhandicap (English)
- prehandicap (English)
Sources
Updated August 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris