My personal favorite method with which to consider it, is through the use of symetrical airfoils. Since both the top and bottom of the airfoil are the same shape and length, you can get away from some of the velocity type definitions. And, for the same reason, you see that zero degrees angle of attack, the airfoil theoretically produces no lift. But, create one degree of angle of attack, and you have lift!
So, while it doesn't explain many of the other phenomena associated with the way an airfoil/wing interacts with the relative wind, you can answer Sgt Pappy's original question with a simple "angle of attack". Its generalistic and brushes over a few other facets of airfoil theory, but in a single sentence, it sums it up nicely, IMHO...