Business Segments (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 11,059	$ 3,933	$ 43,020	$ 52,864
Income taxes	3,866	4,308	18,957	26,497
Interest expense	19,179	16,490	38,757	33,514
Discounts on sales of accounts receivable	947	903	1,506	2,112
Adjusted operating profit	$ 35,051	$ 25,634	$ 102,240	$ 114,987

It represents non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted operating profit (loss) from continuing operations.

No definition available.

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- Definition

A gain (loss) realized on a transfer, accounted for as a sale, of all or a portion of financial assets in which the transferor surrenders control and receives consideration other than a beneficial interest in the assets transferred. Reflects the amount of sales proceeds in excess of, or deficient from, the sum of the carrying amounts of transferred financial assets plus transaction costs.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7,9)

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

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- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

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-Section 50

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- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

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