BUSINESS SEGMENTS (External Net Sales from Continuing Operations by Geographic Area) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	[1]	May 31, 2016	[1]	Feb. 29, 2016	[1]	Nov. 30, 2015	[1]	Aug. 31, 2015	[1]	May 31, 2015	[1]	Feb. 28, 2015	[1]	Nov. 30, 2014	[1]	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,208,580		$ 1,227,390		$ 1,019,697		$ 1,154,859		$ 1,411,496		$ 1,506,002		$ 1,391,117		$ 1,679,990		$ 4,610,526	$ 5,988,605	$ 6,790,438
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	3,220,459	4,199,789	4,510,080
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	771,118	1,006,204	1,215,150
Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	429,910	578,755	786,512
Australia/New Zealand
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	125,069	121,403	175,756
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	$ 63,970	$ 82,454	$ 102,940

[1] Excludes divisions classified as discontinued operations. See Note 10, Businesses Held for Sale, Discontinued Operations and Dispositions.