( Actually, that seems like a pretty darn good In-game question to me.)
What the stories I was told growing up said, was that the Orc is cunning, brutally strong, and liable to kill you, eat you, and wear your flesh as clothing. In that order, if you are lucky. The High Orcs I have met, though few, are strong and fierce, but have yet to attempt to eat anyone I know. See the difference now?
-Nikolai