To answer your question, Tweed, "spatula" is from the late Latin word for "spoon". It and "spade" share common origin. But there's no suit of playing cards called "spatulas". Yet...

Aw, man, whatta brainstorm! We can jack summa those sexy pictures of spatulas that Brucie linked to and make "Spatula Playing Cards"! We could sell 'em for $3.79 a deck and give all the money to Max so he can buy new hardware 'cause this idiot thread's gonna use up all his resources.

God! Sometimes I amaze even my own humble self.