What explains the term orthogonal in a more non-nerd fashion?

Question

For example:

Cardinality and optionality are orthogonal properties of a relationship. You can specify that a relationship is optional, even if you have specified upper and/or lower bounds. This means that there do not have to be any objects at the destination, but if there are then the number of objects must lie within the bounds specified.

What exactly does "orthogonal" mean? I bet it's just a fancy soundig nerd-style word for something that could be expressed a lot easier to understand for average people ;)

From wikipedia:

In mathematics, two vectors are orthogonal if they are perpendicular, i.e., they form a right angle. The word comes from the Greek ὀρθός (orthos), meaning "straight", and γωνία (gonia), meaning "angle".

Anyone?

Answer 1

In the quoted context above you could substitute the word "independent" or "unrelated" for "orthogonal".

Answer 2

Items/concepts/values etc.. that are Orthogonal means that one does not constrain the other, so you can establish one item/concept/value without regards for how other orthogonal items are set.

Loosely speaking, orthogonal means independent.

Answer 3

Specifically in 2d space an orthogonal line is one with bends at 90 degrees to each other.