Racial profiling - (yes, I know but it really is this). Hobbits were the sneak thieves. Dwarves were the gold greedy underground experts. Elves were the aloof woodland bow experts. Orcs were just plain evil. Humans were often considered an over abundant plague by the other races. This was reinforced by in game stat and ability adjustments. More recent editions have mostly removed this to the point that a racial choice is pretty much just a cosmetic thing.
Vancian spell casting
For those discussing Orcs, the AD&D MM shows the orc as a humanoid with what is best described as a pig head.
Male wizards are old with long beards and heavy robes. Female wizards are young, pretty and scantily clad.