The term "handicapped" literally means "cap in hand."

Question

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The term "handicapped" originally comes from the phrase "hand in cap," referring to a game in which goods were traded and an umpire decided if the trades were fair, eventually evolving to mean disadvantaged in some way. Over time, it was misinterpreted as "cap in hand," suggesting begging, which contributed to its negative connotations and the shift towards more respectful language like "disabled" or "person with disabilities."

The Term "Handicapped" Literally Means "Cap in Hand