The maturity period of a given debt instrument.

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- Definition

Debt.

+ Details

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- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt maturing in year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed of determinable prices and dates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 47

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt maturing in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed of determinable prices and dates.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt maturing in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed of determinable prices and dates.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt maturing in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, which may include maturities of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices and dates.

+ References

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Debt (Details Textuals 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended										1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 4.55% Notes due April 15, 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 4.90% Notes due April 15, 2018 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5.00% Notes due May 15, 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 3.25% Notes due November 12, 2020 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 7.00% Debentures due August 1, 2027 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 6.70% Debentures due August 1, 2028 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 6.00% Notes due May 15, 2039 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 5.00% Notes due November 12, 2040 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 10-year 3.25% notes [Member]	Nov. 08, 2010 10-year 3.25% notes [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 30-year 5.00% notes [Member]	Nov. 08, 2010 30-year 5.00% notes [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 5-year 1.75% notes [Member]	Nov. 03, 2011 5-year 1.75% notes [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 10-year 3.125% notes [Member]	Nov. 03, 2011 10-year 3.125% notes [Member]
Debt (Textuals) [Abstract]
Face amounts of notes due	$ 200,000											$ 700,000		$ 300,000		$ 500,000		$ 1,000,000
Interest rates of debt instruments			4.55%	4.90%	5.00%	3.25%	7.00%	6.70%	6.00%	5.00%		3.25%		5.00%		1.75%		3.125%
Debt instrument maturity period (years)											10 years		30 years		5 years		10 years
Average year-end interest rate on domestic notes due through 2013	1.05%	1.00%
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2013	213,603
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2014	8
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2015	0
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2016	$ 0