Interesting antedatings

Revision of the entries in the September OED Online update has revealed an earlier origin then previously thought for many words, including:

• merchant navy (antedated to 1846 from 1875)
• merengue (1888 from 1936)
• merrily (pre-1150 from 14th century)
• mesh (a1425 from 1541)
• mesmerism (1785 from 1802)
• messy (1627 from 1843)