FYI:- the origin of the word "handicap"
keith
there are many myths told about the origin of terms used within the
disability community.
one such myth is the origin of the term "handicap" had something to do
with begging. this is plainly not true. below is listed the origin of
the word. I use the term "handicapism" in a similar way the terms
sexism and racism are used.
keith
london, uk.
Handicap:
The word handicap originally denoted a sort of game of chance in which
one person put up one of his or her personal possessions against an
article belonging to someone else (for example one might match a gold
watch against the other's horse) and an umpire was umpire was
appointed to adjudicate on the respective values of the articles. All
three parties put their hands into a hat, together with a wager, and
on hearing the umpire's verdict the two opponents had to withdraw then
in such way as to indicate whether they wished to proceed with the
game. If they agreed, either in favour of proceeding or against, the
umpire took the money; but if they disagreed , the one who wanted to
proceed took it. It was the concealing of the hands in the hat that
gave the game its name hand in cap, handi' cap, source of modern
English handicap.
In the 18th century the same term was applied to a sort of
horse race between two horses, in which an umpire decide on a weight
disadvantage to be imposed on a superior horse and again the owners of
the horses signalled their assent to or dissent from his adjudication
by the way in which they withdrew their hands from a hat. Such a race
became known as a handicap race, and in the 19th century the term
handicap first broadened out to any contest in which inequalities are
artificially evened out, and was eventually transferred to the
'disadvantage' imposed on superior contestants -whence the main modern
meaning, 'disadvantage, disability.'
Source: - Dictionary of Word Origins - John Atto - Bloomsbury, London,
1990.
keith
Civilised countries do not have the death penalty because it is premeditated state murder.
fact: the death penalty does not reduce the murder rate,unlike the banning of fire arms.
State murder is barbaric and immoral and opposed by Amnesty International.
Steve Bloomer
In article <34e7b00c...@news.demon.co.uk>, keith
<ke...@jacky.demon.co.uk.?> writes
...snip..
> In the 18th century the same term was applied to a sort of
>horse race between two horses, in which an umpire decide on a weight
>disadvantage to be imposed on a superior horse and again the owners of
>the horses signalled their assent to or dissent from his adjudication
>by the way in which they withdrew their hands from a hat. Such a race
>became known as a handicap race, and in the 19th century the term
>handicap first broadened out to any contest in which inequalities are
>artificially evened out, and was eventually transferred to the
>'disadvantage' imposed on superior contestants -whence the main modern
>meaning, 'disadvantage, disability.'
>
Wow the umpire must have considered me vastly superior to the average
ndp...should have been born less intelligent and charming :)
Interesting origins I feel all the wiser for it.
But I wonder what the word means to most people in the UK today?
Steve
John Morlock
What a wonderful posting. Enjoyed it immensely.
Steve Bloomer <St...@crowpark.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
<daLwOAA6...@crowpark.demon.co.uk>...
Martin Bennett
>disability community.
>
>
Back in 1978 ish we named our department that specialised in wheelchair
supplies etc. "The Handicapped Living Centre" over the years this name
became less acceptable so we eventually changed to "HLC - Sheffield
Mobility Shop" - although we still have some signs with the old wording
- all being well these will be replaced this year - if we can afford it!
Still, not as bad as the guy in Leeds who, in the 70s named his shop
"Aids for All"!
--
Martin Bennett e-mail to mar...@wicker.co.uk
Associated Chemists (Wicker) Ltd HLC - Sheffield Mobility Shop
61- 71 Wicker 65-71 Wicker
Sheffield S3 8HT Sheffield S3 8HT
0114 272 7676 0114 272 3729
FAX 0114 272 6431 FAX 0114 276 7953
http://www.wicker.co.uk/wicker