In the South, I know some people who use "ants" and others who use "onts." I say use whichever "floats your boat."
Wendy, in parts of VA (the Eastern shore and parts of southeastern VA) they say "about" in a different way, can't describe it here but sort of like your "aboot". I think many prounciations have to do with who originally settled the area. They might start out as rural pronunciations but they filter into everyday language.
