BUSINESS SEGMENTS (External Net Sales from Continuing Operations by Geographic Area) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	[1]	May 31, 2017	[1]	Feb. 28, 2017	[1]	Nov. 30, 2016	[1]	Aug. 31, 2016	[1]	May 31, 2016	[1]	Feb. 29, 2016	[1]	Nov. 30, 2015	[1]	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,260,981		$ 1,260,700		$ 1,053,903		$ 994,091		$ 1,102,646		$ 1,110,790		$ 913,894		$ 1,050,188		$ 4,569,675	$ 4,177,518	$ 5,424,413
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	3,268,466	2,939,630	3,808,757
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	668,796	658,352	871,071
Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	399,600	403,628	559,279
Australia/New Zealand
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	187,128	125,069	121,403
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales																	$ 45,685	$ 50,839	$ 63,903

[1] Excludes divisions classified as discontinued operations. See Note 3, Changes in Business.