The fact that "${a[@]@K}" expands to a single word is surprising to me. I know someone else already mentioned it in this thread (sorry, I forgot who it was), but it would be nice if there were a similar one that gave a list of multiple words.
unicorn:~$ printf '<%s> ' "${a[@]@Q}"; echo <'1'> <'2'> <'3'> unicorn:~$ printf '<%s> ' "${a[@]@U}"; echo <1> <2> <3> unicorn:~$ printf '<%s> ' "${a[@]@L}"; echo <1> <2> <3> unicorn:~$ printf '<%s> ' "${a[@]@E}"; echo <1> <2> <3> unicorn:~$ printf '<%s> ' "${a[@]@K}"; echo <0 "1" 1 "2" 2 "3"> It really sticks out.