Short-order tools are a type of kitchen equipment used by chefs and cooks in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments. The term 'short-order' refers to the fact that these tools are used to quickly prepare food orders. One of the most common short-order tools is the spatula, which is an 8-letter word. Spatulas are flat, flexible pieces of metal or plastic with a handle, used for flipping, stirring, and scraping food. They are essential for cooking eggs, pancakes, and other items on a griddle or frying pan.