Wazzu is a nickname for Washington State University. The term is an attempt to pronounce the University's acronym, WSU, as a single word.

 

In 2002, then new University President V. Lane Rawlins sought to reduce use of "Wazzu," a move which carried some weight as the University owns the trademark (though in order to keep it trademarked, "Wazzu" is sporadically used on miscellaneous items). Since that time, "Wazzu" is noticeably absent from Cougar uniforms and printed WSU publications.

 

The term was thought to have strong connotations with WSU's accepted reputation as a "party school", a reputation that Dr. Rawlins worked to eliminate during his tenure as University President.