Spatula

A spatula is a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread and lift material including foods, drugs, plaster and paints.

In medical applications, "spatula" may also be used synonymously with tongue depressor.

The word spatula derives from the Latin word for a flat piece of wood or splint, a diminutive form of the Latin spatha, meaning 'broadsword', and hence can also refer to a tongue depressor. The words spade (digging tool) and spathe are similarly derived. The word spatula has been used in English since 1525.

Spatulas are usually used to scrape within the contours of a mixing bowl or to level off the top of a dry mixing cup.

In American English, spatula refers broadly to a number of broad, flat utensils. The word commonly refers to a turner or flipper (known in British English as a fish slice), used to lift and flip food items during cooking, such as pancakes and fillets. The blades on these are usually made of metal or plastic, with a wooden or plastic handle to insulate them from heat. A cookie shovel is a turner with a larger blade, made for lifting cookies off a pan or baking sheet.

A frosting spatula is also known as palette knife and is usually made of metal or plastic.

Bowl and plate scrapers are sometimes called spatulas.

In British English a spatula is similar in shape to a palette knife, without holes, in a flexible or detachable blade. It is used in medical examinations, for holding down the tongue or taking cell samples. The term is also commonly used in cookery to refer to a scraper, as in American English.