[pierrec]

The only urban legend I heard about the origins of aspirin is that it was originally snorted, hence the name.

Allow me to clarify: in french, "aspire in" could mean "snort it in", though in a goofy brand-name-ified sort of way. This is something that my french high school chemistry teacher served the entire class in the most serious way possible.

[Izkata]

"Aspirate" is also an English word which just means to breath something in. Sounds medical (so not generally used) but not in an awkward brand-namey way.