Whassup? (also spelled "Wazzup?" or "Wassup?") is an informal greeting, derived from the phrase "What's up?". It is often used as a casual inquiry about someone's well-being or current activities, similar to "How's it going?" or "What's new?".
The term gained widespread popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, largely due to a series of Budweiser television commercials. These commercials featured friends calling each other and loudly exclaiming "Whassup?" followed by exaggerated and drawn-out responses. The commercials became a cultural phenomenon, leading to the phrase's widespread adoption in popular culture and everyday conversation.
While its popularity has waned since its peak, "Whassup?" remains a recognizable and occasionally used greeting, particularly among those who remember its widespread use during the Budweiser commercial era. The phrase is generally considered informal and is most appropriate in casual settings with friends or acquaintances. Using the term in formal or professional situations may be perceived as inappropriate.
The variation in spelling ("Wazzup?" or "Wassup?") does not significantly alter the meaning or usage of the phrase. All versions are generally understood to be a phonetic representation of "What's up?".