American English . The rubber scraper (left) can be called a
spatula in both UK and US English because it is a flat utensil used for mixing and spreading. The tool on the right is also called a dough cutter. 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.
British English 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.
Non-regional In addition to the regional senses, a spatula can be used in both British and American English to refer to a tool with a flat, blunt blade used for mixing and spreading things as opposed to one used for lifting and flipping food, an example of which is the rubber scraper shown on the right. == Laboratory use ==