Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

Useful

About as useful as a button on a hat.
—Anonymous

Useful as a shin of beef, which has a big bone for the big dog, a little bone for the little dog, and a sinew for the cat.
—Anonymous

Useful as a cow.
—Anonymous

Useful as daylight.
—Anonymous

Useful as the useful.
—Victor Hugo