A spatula is a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, and lift various materials, including foods, drugs, plaster, and paints. In the kitchen, it is commonly used to flip or turn food items during cooking, such as pancakes and fillets. There are different types of spatulas, including the original kitchen spatula, slotted spatulas, scraping spatulas, rubber spatulas, and offset spatulas, each designed for specific culinary tasks. In medical applications, the term "spatula" may also be used synonymously with a tongue depressor
. The word "spatula" derives from the Latin word for a flat piece of wood or splint, and it has been used in English since 1525
