By that reasoning, though, we can claim that the earth counts to 364 as it orbits the sun. Or that women's bodies count roughly to 9 as they make a baby. These are ways that we model those things, but that is not what is happening.
Most people learn to build lists through mimicry. They literally mimic the lists they were taught they need to build to go to the store. With enough experience, many of us learn to build our own lists from other principals, but it almost all starts with mimicry and simulation. Is why "going shopping" is such a fun game for kids. They are learning.
None of which is to say that you can't make your thinking better with logic. You almost certainly can. But you are begging the question with your examples and explanations. Heavily.
