I like to think that Pokémon names are the natural sounds they make, & then we reverse engineered human language based on associations with Pokémon. So Koffing said "Koffing!" & then someone who got gassed by one came up with the word "coughing" as a result.
Because like, canonically, Pokémon predate humans & had some part in the development of human language. So why not extend that out to cave men being like:
"Hey, what's your name?"
"Mr. Mime!"
"Oh, good to know. What's that thing you're doing with your hands?"
"Mime!"
"Oh it's called miming? Glad we have a word for that now. Anyway, you're kinda like a guy, like me, but you mime."
"Mr!"
"Oh, so a guy can also be a mister? Cool. Cool cool cool."


















