The word "古董" (antique) is formed through a historical evolution from the earlier term "骨董", which similarly referred to curious or ancient artifacts. Over time, the character "骨" (bone) was replaced by "古" (ancient) to emphasize the idea of age and historical value, while "董" was retained, likely for its phonetic contribution and its archaic association with treasured or esteemed items. This shift created a compound where both characters collaboratively evoke the concept of old, valuable objects, solidifying its meaning in modern usage.