Pronunciation: [spˈatjʊləz] (IPA) 
The word "spatulas" is spelled with six letters, but has seven sounds. The first sound is /s/, followed by /p/, /æ/ as in "cat", /t/, /j/ as in "you", /l/, and /ə/ as in the unstressed schwa sound. The final sound is not represented by a letter in the spelling, but is an important part of the word's pronunciation. Despite its seemingly straightforward spelling, "spatulas" can be tricky to pronounce correctly without practice.
A spatula is a versatile utensil typically with a broad, flat, and thin blade, attached to a handle, and primarily used for flipping, turning, or spreading various substances. It is commonly made of metal, wood, silicone, or heat-resistant plastic materials.
Spatulas are widely employed in both cooking and baking. In the culinary realm, they are invaluable for flipping pancakes, flipping or turning meats while grilling or sautéing, removing cookies or pastries from baking trays, and stirring ingredients in a pan or bowl. With their flat surface, spatulas facilitate easy flipping and prevent delicate foods from breaking apart.
Moreover, spatulas are famously used for spreading and smoothing substances like frosting, icing, or buttercream onto cakes, cookies, or bread. The flat blade enables precise and even application, ensuring a visually appealing final product.
These utensils come in various shapes and sizes to suit different purposes. For instance, offset spatulas have a bent angle on the blade, aiding in reaching underneath baked goods and reducing the risk of accidentally touching hot surfaces. Fish spatulas, with their thin and flexible blade, are designed specifically for maneuvering delicate fish fillets.
In conclusion, spatulas are a vital tool in the kitchen, essential for flipping, turning, spreading, and smoothing a wide variety of foods and substances. Their versatility and practicality make them an indispensable culinary implement.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "spatula" derives from the Latin term "spathula", which originally referred to a broad, flat tool or utensil. "Spathula" itself came from the Greek word "spathē", meaning "blade" or "cutting instrument". Over time, the term evolved and was adapted into different languages, including Old French where it became "espatule". Eventually, the word made its way into English as "spatula" to describe a tool with a broad, flat blade, commonly used for flipping or spreading.
