Etymologically, ‘aid’ and ‘abet’ are different: to aid a crime is to help another to do it; to abet a crime is to encourage another to do it. (But since ‘abet’ is only used in this sense, dictionaries now give it the entire meaning, so ‘aid’ has become redundant.)
I can’t find it on Google now, but ISTR that the meaning of “abet” you give here is an urban legend; “abet” just means “aid” and was only put in to make it sound more grand.
Google refuses to recognize “anext” as an English word.
Eliezer answers on r/HPMOR.
It might be a typo for ‘anent’?
I think that it’s fine, but Reddit is correct: it shouldn’t take ‘to’.
ETA: And also, it’s redundant.
Like “spick and span” and “aid and abet”. Eliezer is reaching for an elevated style and not quite hitting the mark.
Etymologically, ‘aid’ and ‘abet’ are different: to aid a crime is to help another to do it; to abet a crime is to encourage another to do it. (But since ‘abet’ is only used in this sense, dictionaries now give it the entire meaning, so ‘aid’ has become redundant.)
Anyway, this doesn’t affect your point.
I can’t find it on Google now, but ISTR that the meaning of “abet” you give here is an urban legend; “abet” just means “aid” and was only put in to make it sound more grand.
It is not an urban legend. From etymonline:
from a- “to” + beter “to bait,” from a Germanic source, perhaps Low Franconian betan “incite,” or Old Norse beita “cause to bite”