>>48449254K here's the Japanese scene where he doesn't talk like a caveman. And meowth also talks about not having a master.
Also I'm pretty sure in that episode Ash's pokemon also say "our master."
Who cares if it's an early episode or not? I was mainly pointing out that this isn't expensive too cringe gardefags thinking their pokemon are their sex slaves/maids. As others have mentioned it's like a pet's owner being referred to as its master.