Spatel

Spatel is a term used in Dutch and German to designate a flat, broad tool that functions as a spatula or paddle. In culinary contexts, a Spatel is employed to flip, spread, and scrape ingredients from bowls or pans. In laboratory and medical settings, a Spatel refers to a small flat instrument used to handle solids or viscous liquids, mix substances, or apply materials such as adhesives.

Etymology and usage vary by language. The word derives from Latin spatula and entered Dutch and German with similar meanings. In German, Spatel typically denotes a lab or medical spatula, while related terms such as Spachtel describe other types of scrapers or putty knives used in construction or repair. The distinction between Spatel and Spachtel can be important in technical or professional contexts.

Spatel is also a surname. It appears in German-speaking regions and among Dutch-speaking communities, where surnames often originated from occupational or descriptive sources. As a surname, Spatel may have referred to an ancestor who worked with spatula-like tools or who carried out related crafts.

See also Spatula and Spachtel for related terms and their broader usage.