IM

Meaning

initialism of Inoffizieller Mitarbeiter / Inoffizielle Mitarbeiterin (“unofficial collaborator”), an informant in the German Democratic Republic who delivered private information to the Stasi.

Concepts

IM

Synonyms

inoffizieller Mitarbeiter

Translations

messagerie instantanée

IM (Instant Messaging)

IM

mensagem instantânea

Etymology

Literally, “unofficial associate, unofficial staff member”. The word Mitarbeiter is literally “with-worker, cooperator”, but has the general sense of “employee, staffer”; therefore the usual English translation “collaborator” is imprecise. The coordinate terms Offizieller Mitarbeiter or, more commonly, Hauptamtlicher Mitarbeiter referred to the Stasi’s ordinary civil servants.