As with all good word lists, this one made me hungry. Parsimonious made me most hungry of all, but, of course, will refuse to feed me! I must look elsewhere for succor.
I'm late to this conversation about quixotic, but... I've always pronounced it "kee-OT-ic," though I've heard it said "kwiks-ot-ic." One time I said "kwiks-ot-ic" and everyone stared at me--though it could be because they didn't know the word at all, who knows. Then, when I looked it up in the OED today, it lists one pronunciation: kwiks-ot-ic. Hunh. I'll probably continue to say "kee-OT-ic," because that's what I'm used to saying. And frankly, I don't say it often enough to worry that much. Guess I don't normally run with the crowd that has an opinion on the matter.
I've been following the discussion on the quixotic page with some interest, because this is one of those words that I always thought was cool, but never really contemplated in any depth.
Oddly enough, I never made the Don Quixote connection until I saw the thread. I've never heard anyone speak the word, just seen it in print and online, and figured it was pronounced "quick SOT ick." Coincedentally, a friend did say the word in conversation just last week, and he said "KEE ho tic." Totally random, and as far as I know he's never been to Wordie. I did a double-take. The one time I've ever heard the word spoken, and it's the weird way.
However you choose to say it, the word remains on my list. Though I prefer the Anglicanized pronunciation, which I think is just more fun, the perfect blend of quirky and exotic.
quixotic is my favorite (though it's not easy to choose with so many good words!). i like both the reference to a literary character and the way that it sounds. and it gets extra points for having a 'q' and an 'x' in it.