DDT stood for Dangerous Darrell Thomas. Thomas had given himself the name when he was riding with a motorcycle club and was interviewed for a public radio magazine. The magazine writer got it wrong, though, and referred to him as TDT--Terrible Darrell Thompson--which lost something of its intent when expressed as initials; and since the writer got the last name wrong, too, Thomas never again trusted the media.
In John Sandford's "Chosen Prey," the character Darrell Thomas, also known as DDT, created this moniker during his time with a motorcycle club. He chose "Dangerous" to reflect his persona, but a public radio magazine incorrectly referred to him as TDT, or Terrible Darrell Thompson. This mistake not only distorted the intended meaning of his nickname but also led to the error of misidentifying his last name.
As a result of this experience, Thomas lost his trust in media representations. The incident highlights how a single miscommunication can shape a person's perception of themselves and their interactions with media outlets, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in journalism.
