Who called Bitcoin first a currency?

I am doing a paper on Crypto. But the Currency part is not yet, well it depends on how you view it, not correct.
Satoshi has used in his paper the term electronic cash, more like focusing on its functionality. Like cash you can buy and/or exchange goods. But currency is something different.

Whether for marketing or other purposes from a non crypto person perspective, it confuses the people because it does not fulfil its role. In the media it is used all the time, and somehow it kinda ruins the idea for ordinary, especially older people who could potentially invest.