Handicapped

A handicap may refer to several different things, depending on context:

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• Handicapping refers to various methods of levelling a sport or game to allow weaker competitors to have an even chance against stronger competitors:
• A golf handicap is a specific example of handicapping by manipulating a golfer's score.
• Chess handicap applies to chess competitions.
• Go handicap applies to the game of Go.
• Portsmouth handicap applies to sailing.
• Glider handicap applies to the sport of gliding
• Handicap theory is an evolutionary theory.
• Self-handicapping is a psychological method of finding something to blame for failure besides one's own inability.
• Handicapped is an adjective used to refer to a person or animal who is partially disabled or unable to use a limb or limbs. The use of this term is sometimes considered offensive, though it is preferable to the derogatory term "cripple" or "retard". (Note, however, that the term "cripple" is used specifically to refer to a horse unable to race). See disabled for a fuller explanation of the difference between an impairment, a disability and being handicapped.