Learn English – When people say “I’m twelve years old in this photo”, does it have any non literal meaning

american-englishslang

As you may have known, the 2015 FIFA Women's world Cup Final will be USA vs Japan again. Anne Hathaway on her blog told the US women's team that "I am 12 in this photo" And this reminded me of a urban slang, "I'm 12 and what is this" on Urban Dictionary. I am very sure that Anne Hathaway is not 12 years old now. She is older than me. I don't understand why she did not write "I was 12 in this photo", but "I am 12 in this photo".

Could you explain this to me please?

Best Answer

There is no slang or hidden meaning. She is literally saying that she was 12 years old when the picture was taken.

You are right that it would be more correct to say "I was 12..." However, when you are referring to your past self in a picture they mean the same thing and are interchangeable.