What term describes something that deviates from what is expected or is considered strange?

The term that best describes something that deviates from what is expected or is considered strange is "queer." Historically, "queer" has been used in a variety of contexts, often to indicate something that is outside the norm or does not conform to established standards. This term carries connotations of strangeness or eccentricity, making it suitable for describing instances that are not just unusual but also distinctly different in a way that challenges societal expectations.

While "unusual" and "weird" also convey a sense of deviation from the norm, they tend to lack the nuanced connotations of "queer." "Unusual" may imply rarity without the same depth of strangeness, and "weird" often carries a more informal and sometimes overly negative connotation. "Rare" focuses on the infrequency of occurrence rather than the strangeness or deviation itself.

Thus, "queer" is the term that encapsulates the idea of something that is not only different but also challenges typical understandings of normalcy.