Pronunciation: [hˈandɪkˌaps] (IPA) 
The word "handicaps" is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k" because it comes from the phrase "hand in cap," which used to be the way bets were made. The person who won the bet would take the money from a cap or hat. The word is pronounced /ˈhændikæps/ with the stress on the first syllable. The "a" before the "p" is pronounced as a short "æ" sound, similar to the "a" in "cat."
Handicaps refer to the disadvantages or limitations that impede or hinder a person's ability to perform certain tasks, compete in activities, or function optimally in society due to physical, mental, sensory, or developmental impairments. It is a term used to describe various conditions or disabilities that affect an individual's daily life and may require additional support or adjustments to ensure equal opportunities.
Handicaps can manifest in different forms, including physical disabilities like mobility impairments or chronic illnesses that restrict a person's movement, dexterity, or bodily functions. Moreover, they can also include cognitive or intellectual disabilities such as learning difficulties, memory impairments, or developmental disorders that hinder a person's ability to process information, reason, or communicate effectively. Sensory impairments like visual or hearing impairments are also considered handicaps, as they can affect a person's ability to perceive or interact with their environment.
Often, handicaps are recognized as a social construct rather than inherent attributes of individuals, highlighting the importance of societal attitudes, policies, and other barriers that can either exacerbate or alleviate the effects of a person's handicap. Efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility are essential to ensure that individuals with handicaps can participate fully in educational, employment, recreational, and social activities. Various accommodations, support systems, and assistive technologies are often utilized to help reduce the impact of handicaps and facilitate equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "handicap" dates back to the mid-17th century and its origin is not entirely clear. There are a few theories regarding its etymology:
1. Hand in cap: One theory suggests that the term originated from a practice in which two individuals would make a wager by placing money or valuables into a cap. The cap would then be secured by grasping it with one hand, and the individuals would compete in a game or race without removing their hand from the cap. Hence, the phrase "hand in cap" later evolved into "handicap", referring to a disadvantage imposed on a stronger competitor to create a more equal contest.
2. Hand in hand: Another theory proposes that the term "handicap" derived from the phrase "hand in hand", with the notion of two individuals holding hands to maintain an equal pace while walking or racing.
