I'm sure this has probably been discussed before, but personally, I am surprised by the number of people who seem to draw a distinction between the terms of crossdresser and transvestite.
For some, the distinction appears to be between simply wearing a nice dress and heels, and presenting fully en femme.
For others, the difference between the two is the frequency of dressing fully.
For others still, the difference is whether or not they allow others to see them en femme.
Now personally, for me, the word transvestite, translates almost literally as cross-dresser. trans - latin prefix meaning across or through. vestite - latin inflection of vestitus meaning clothing or raiment.
I am a crossdresser. I'm not 24/7, I only dress fully en femme infrequently, I wear feminine clothes almost all day every day even in guy mode. I am a transvestite.. well, actually I'm an executive transvestite (Izzard fans will understand). I just don't get why so many people object to the term transvestite whilst still having pride in being a crossdresser.
So, how many of you see a difference between the two terms (whether etymological or socially perceived), and how many of you would be more offended to be referred to as a transvestite rather than a crossdresser?