# What do you think of as a "spatula"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 22, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375 "2023-05-22T01:01:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/81 "2023-05-22T20:26:20Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The bomb expert tells you that the only way to safely remove the detonator is to use a spatula. What implement do you pick up? There is context there. What is the bomb expert telling me to do with the spatula, shortly before I give him a suggestion of what to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/82 "2023-05-22T20:27:06Z")
Way back in 1976, when I was in 7th grade, my Home Economics teacher taught us that the flipper is a spatula and the other thing is a “rubber scraper.” ---
**Author:** ![Blindmellowjelly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindmellowjelly/32/13920_2.png) [@Blindmellowjelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blindmellowjelly)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/83 "2023-05-22T21:37:24Z")
Which came first? The Spatula or the Trowel? ---
**Author:** ![Blindmellowjelly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindmellowjelly/32/13920_2.png) [@Blindmellowjelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blindmellowjelly)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/84 "2023-05-23T01:47:21Z")
We grew up calling them a, “A-spatula”. Even spelled it that way, made awkrads momements where one would ask for, " Ä aspatula". ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/85 "2023-05-23T04:21:39Z")
According to a little image searching, roux spoon: [![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0081/6152/5837/products/RouxSpoons_grande.jpg) ](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0081/6152/5837/products/RouxSpoons_grande.jpg) [![](https://www.redstickspice.com/cdn/shop/products/Wooden_Salad_Servers_A_400x.jpg) ](https://www.redstickspice.com/cdn/shop/products/Wooden_Salad_Servers_A_400x.jpg) egg slice: [![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pnxwT.jpg) ](https://i.stack.imgur.com/pnxwT.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/86 "2023-05-23T04:58:03Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > > [@Riemann](#): > > > > The bomb expert tells you that the only way to safely remove the detonator is to use a spatula. What implement do you pick up? > > There is context there. What is the bomb expert telling me to do with the spatula, shortly before I give him a suggestion of what to do with it. - Better use the flexible silicone one. You want the bomb expert to give you the _right_ answer. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/87 "2023-05-23T05:10:23Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > The last mayo/pb/jam from the jar, gravy out of the pan, mashed potatoes out of the bowl, etc. I have jar spatulas just for getting the last mayo/pb/jam out of the jar. But for the mashed potatoes, or bread dough, my go-to tool is a [bowl scraper](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HVZ8Y0Y/?tag=seriouseats-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=6746839%7Cn1df47ed4d16447f9896f74541d3b523805%7C). Annoying thing about the rubber/silicon spatulas - the ones where the head decides to just pop off the handle. It’s annoying, and once it happens, then gook gets inside the head and it’s no longer usuable. For this reason, I prefer single-piece spatulas, like [these](https://www.seriouseats.com/best-silicone-spatulas-6361864). Interestingly enough, the site refers to them as silicone spatulas. Makes is clearer which spatulas they are talking about, but also indicates that spatula, by itself, is not enough information to identify the tool. ---
**Author:** ![Blindmellowjelly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindmellowjelly/32/13920_2.png) [@Blindmellowjelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blindmellowjelly)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/88 "2023-05-23T05:27:42Z")
Is a “Fishturner” even an Aspatula? > **[Amazon.com: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner : Patio, Lawn &...](https://www.amazon.com/OXO-1130900-Turner-Stainless-Comfortable/dp/B000YDO2MK)** > > Use this handy Fish Turner when cooking whole fish, filets, seafood cakes and more. The beveled edge slides easily beneath foods and the slots in the head allow grease to drain. The durable, stainless steel head is oversized for larger fish and the... ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/89 "2023-05-23T10:08:05Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > For this reason, I prefer single-piece spatulas, like [these](https://www.seriouseats.com/best-silicone-spatulas-6361864). I replaced all my old silicone spatulas with separate handles for single-piece silicone spatulas that look like that. Never looked back, i love the new ones. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/90 "2023-05-23T11:04:49Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Hmm, i have a more of spatulas in the utensil drawer. Wow, I didn’t know spatulas were graced with their own collective noun – a pride of lions, a murder of crows, a more of spatulas. Makes sense, though – most of us looking at a drawer-full of spatulas will be thinking “the last thing I need is more of these”! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/91 "2023-05-23T12:01:29Z")
Lol, that was a typo. But i like the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/92 "2023-05-23T12:26:31Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > egg slice An “egg slice” should mean a slice of egg (the way an orange slice is a slice of orange, or a tomato slice is a slice of tomato, or a ham slice is a slice of ham). And the images that came up when I googled “egg slice” agree. Likewise, a “fish slice” should mean a slice of fish. Except that that imagining pronouncing that “sh sl” letter combination makes me wince. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/93 "2023-05-23T13:26:22Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > For this reason, I prefer single-piece spatulas, like [these](https://www.seriouseats.com/best-silicone-spatulas-6361864) [These are mine](http://amazon.com/HiramWare-Silicone-Spatulas-Set-Resistant/dp/B07FXPDZH4). Highly recommend. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/94 "2023-05-23T20:09:31Z")
Arguably English may not have enough grammatical cases, but that one is a slice [5. One or other of several flattish utensils (sometimes perforated) used for various purposes in cookery] _for_ eggs, not a slice [2. a. A relatively thin, flat, broad piece cut from anything] _of_ egg, or at least the person on the random forum where it was posted for identification thought it was an egg-slice. My point here being that its shape makes it yet another common type of spatula. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/95 "2023-05-23T20:57:10Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > that one is a slice [5. One or other of several flattish utensils (sometimes perforated) used for various purposes in cookery] Are you quoting from a particular dictionary? and if so, is it a US- or UK-based one? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/96 "2023-05-23T21:02:12Z")
Another designation of spatula is a peel. Commonly used in baking, you may’ve seen a pizza peel in use at a traditional pizzeria. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/97 "2023-05-23T22:22:40Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@DPRK](#): > > > > that one is a slice [5. One or other of several flattish utensils (sometimes perforated) used for various purposes in cookery] > > Are you quoting from a particular dictionary? and if so, is it a US- or UK-based one? Oxford English Dictionary, not sure which edition. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/98 "2023-05-24T00:09:20Z")
OP: “Emily, what do you think of as a spatula?” Emily: “A collar bone?” OP: “That’s spatula, not scapula!” Emily: “Oh well, that’s VERY different, nevermind.” ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/99 "2023-05-25T16:09:49Z")
“Spatula” to me is a rigid plastic or metal tool of the type used for turning pancakes or burgers. I have never heard a real person refer to this as a “pancake turner” but I have seen that term on a spatula package before. The rubbery ones mostly used for scraping are “rubber spatulas” even if they are made of silicone. The ones for spreading frosting are “frosting knives” or “frosting spatulas,” which I’m concerned will set off a debate about “frosting” versus “icing.” > [@BrickBat](#): > > For the longest time when I was a kid I called it a ‘Spatch-a-ler’ because my father had a NYC accent and pronounced it “spatulA” in keeping with his dropping of his Rs at the end of words, and so I thought I was compensating by calling it its “real” name. In this vein, my wife sometimes refers to our heating system as the “furnest,” a durable habit notwithstanding my occasionally gently noting to her how she pronounces it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375/100 "2023-05-25T16:33:07Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > a durable habit notwithstanding my occasionally gently noting to her how she pronounces it. Is that when she pitches a spatula at your head? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-as-a-spatula/984375.md?page=6)