Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

troglodyte mode
     
         (Rice University) Programming with the lights turned
        off, sunglasses on, and the terminal inverted (black on white)
        because you've been up for so many days straight that your
        eyes hurt (see {raster burn}).  Loud music blaring from a
        stereo stacked in the corner is optional but recommended.
     
        See {larval stage}, {hack mode}.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1995-03-21)