def is_409(item):
    """Return True if the item has a status_code of 409 (conflict).
    
    Return TypeError if item doesn't have a status_code.
    """
    if hasattr(item, "status_code"):
        return (True, "Conflict") if item.status_code == 409 else False

    return TypeError("is_409 cannot check item with missing status_code attribute")