Antonym (or dual) for 'anachronism'
I'm looking for a word or a phrase (preferably a noun phrase) that describes
- something current,
- which should not be still present, because it is kind of outdated,
- but is still around us because of historical reasons.
Naturally, what should or should not be present is subjective, and by using this word one actually expresses an opinion on the matter. Please note, that it doesn't have to have negative connotation, e.g. a character might observe that the world should have moved already, but he or she is glad that it didn't. I'm most interested in neutral or negative flavors, but I would appreciate other suggestions as well.
In a sense it is an antonym (or dual) for 'anachronism', because instead of author-inserted out-of-time thing we have author-wishes-to-be-removed current thing.
What word or a phrase would best describe such a thing?
In the context of technology, legacy as an adjective fits this definition quite well, i.e., legacy code. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_system).
It generally refers to technology systems that are still in use, but outdated, and generally unpleasant for people to deal with.
Antique or antiquated could be neutral, positive, or negative, depending on context. The negative connotation comes when emphasizing the negative qualities of its age.
Old Guard can refer to a group of people, set of ideas/values, or politics that are seen as being stuck in the past and unwilling to change.
Edit with some more suggestions:
fossil could metaphorically refer to anything old.
dinosaur also conveys old or out-of-date, especially to things that are slow, clunky, or overweight. This is sometimes used with the extended metaphor of the dinosaur, being unwilling to change its ways, is doomed by the coming asteroid.
ossify/ossified literally means "to turn into bone", and it's often used to refer to processes or practices that have become stuck, set in stone. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ossify)
relic might be the word you're looking for. One given definition is "a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief" (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relic)
The word skeuomorph sometimes is used in the manner mentioned in the question. Wikipedia says:
A skeuomorph is a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues from structures that were necessary in the original. Examples include pottery embellished with imitation rivets reminiscent of similar pots made of metal and a software calendar that imitates the appearance of binding on a paper desk calendar. ... The term ... has been applied to material objects since 1890[4] and is now also used to describe computer and mobile interfaces. ... Skeuomorphs are deliberately employed to make the new look comfortably old and familiar, or are simply habits too deeply ingrained to wash away.
The word has been in use since the 1890s. It has been used, for example, to characterize mass-market Minoan ceramic cups (ca. 2700 BC to 1450 BC) that used pellets of clay to imitate rivets that appeared on Minoan silver cups.
Edit: Regarding “a similar term that does not refer to material objects or interfaces”, I don't know of such terms that are similar or related to skeuomorph, aside perhaps from some of the terms suggested in YenTheFirst's answer. These include antiquated (“old-fashioned, out of date”) and relic (“That which remains; that which is left after loss or decay; a remaining portion” or “Something old kept for sentimental reasons”). However, relics often are valuable; eg, wiktionary's usage note says
By comparison with synonyms, relic emphasizes age, and to some degree value – a “relic of a lost civilization”
If you want to emphasize the “should not be still present” aspect of features or ideas, consider using zombie (a “living dead” person) figuratively, or refer to the features or ideas as hangers-on. A hanger-on is “One who hangs on, or sticks to, a person, place, or service; a dependent; one who adheres to others’ society longer than he is wanted” (wiktionary).