- handicap (n.) - 1650s, from hand in cap, a game whereby two
bettors would engage a neutral umpire to determine the odds in
an unequal contest. The bettors would put their hands holding
forfeit money into a hat or cap. The umpire would announce the
odds and the bettors would withdraw their hands -- hands full
meaning that they accepted the odds and the bet was on, hands
empty meaning they did not accept the bet and were willing to
forfeit the money. If one forfeited, then the money went to the
other. If both agreed either on forfeiting or going ahead with
the wager, then the umpire kept the money as payment. The
custom, though not the name, is attested from 14c. ("Piers
Plowman"). Reference to horse racing is 1754 (Handy-Cap Match),
where the umpire decrees the superior horse should carry extra
weight as a "handicap;" this led to sense of "encumbrance,
disability" first recorded 1890. The main modern sense,
"disability," is the last to develop, early 20c. - handicap (v.)
- "equalize chances of competitors,"