The term "Handicapper General" comes from the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut. It is a pejorative term used to describe a person or institution that seeks to achieve social equality by leveling down rather than leveling up, e.g., a school system that cancels advanced classes out of a fear of elitism. Related concepts are "dumbing down" and "lowest common denominator."
Last updated: 06-03-2005 07:12:56