What is the origin of the idiom "queer as Dick's hatband" and when to use it?

The idiom "queer as Dick's hatband" likely emerged from the use of "queer" as a word meaning "strange" or "peculiar," combined with the reference to Dick's hatband, which could symbolize something unusual or out of the ordinary. It was often employed in casual conversation or informal writing to convey a sense of peculiarity or oddity. However, it's important to note that the phrase is outdated and not commonly used in contemporary English.