What is the origin of the idiom "the tail wagging the dog" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "the tail wagging the dog" can be traced back to a political context in the United States. It is commonly attributed to the American journalist and humorist Charles G. Conn, who used the phrase in an article he wrote for The Chicago Tribune in 1895. Conn used the metaphor to criticize a situation where a minor issue or faction was exerting disproportionate influence over a larger group or organization. It is commonly used to critique imbalanced power dynamics, decision-making processes, or instances where a minor detail or factor has a disproportionate impact on the overall outcome.