"Anesthetics" implies that the improvements are completely optional and non-impactful, whereas "technical debt" implies that you are paying for the privilege of

"Anesthetics" implies that the improvements are completely optional and non-impactful, whereas "technical debt" implies that you are paying for the privilege of forgoing the improvement (like how keeping a balance on a line of credit means paying interest) . It doesn't cost you anything more to live in an ugly house, but it sure costs more to have a bigger mortgage. If you really don't like the term debt, "technical hangover" sorta conveys the same idea.