The original definition. "I checked half a dozen other dictionaries – including Oxford, Cambridge, Webster's and Chambers – from other English-speaking countries. None used the word 'abnormal' and that infuriated me," he said. "Australia already, unfortunately, has a reputation of being intolerant to minorities. And it's situations like these that further fuel that belief." So Mr Arora let Macqaurie know exactly how he felt. And he was surprised when the dictionary's publisher, Susan Butler, wrote back stating: "You are quite right."

She added: "This definition was written at a time when 'abnormal' was used to mean 'atypical', but the most common meaning of abnormal is much more judgmental. "We will change the definition to the following: the desire to wear clothing typical of the opposite sex." Ms Butler told this website she often updates entries - just recently Macquarie decided to update its range of mushroom definitions. She said they receive many suggestions about updating words, but only about one reader idea a month makes the next addition. Australia already, unfortunately, has a reputation of being intolerant to minorities. And it's situations like these that further fuel that belief

"We are editing and updating on a very constant basis ... and that includes a number of modifications as we might find ourselves out of step in a particular area," she said. "When people make suggestions ... I would say that 10 per cent are really good; 90 per cent are misunderstood or perhaps have a sense of humour." Mr Arora hopes the change will make transvestites "feel less hurt, discriminated and insecure if they come across the definition without the word abnormal”. "I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Not only to receive a response but such a gallant one at that," he said. "It takes a lot of courage for a dictionary to accept that it has described a word wrongly and to agree to change the definition. So hats off to them for that."

So, has he come across any other words that need to be changed? "Occasionally. But it's the inconsistencies that I come across more often. If “eyeliner” is one word, why is “eye shadow” two?"