CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2016	$ 1,367,431	$ 1,290	$ 358,745	$ (112,914)	$ 1,372,988	$ (252,837)	$ 159
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2016		129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2016						(14,425,068)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	36,607				36,607
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,076)			(12,076)
Cash dividends ($0.24 per share)	(27,726)				(27,726)
Treasury stock acquired	0					$ 0
Treasury stock acquired, shares
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(5,757)		(26,255)			$ 20,498
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,143,176
Stock-based compensation	7,187		7,187
Tax benefit from stock plans	0
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	13						13
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	1,780		1,780
Reclassification of share-based equity awards	(5,439)		(5,439)
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2017	1,362,020	$ 1,290	336,018	(124,990)	1,381,869	$ (232,339)	172
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2017		129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Feb. 28, 2017						(13,281,892)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 1,400,930	$ 1,290	349,258	(81,513)	1,363,806	$ (232,084)	173
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	129,060,664	129,060,664
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	(13,266,928)					(13,266,928)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings	$ 46,980				46,980
Other comprehensive income (loss)	15,047			15,047
Cash dividends ($0.24 per share)	(27,995)				(27,995)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures	(7,393)		(23,695)			$ 16,302
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures, shares						1,031,932
Stock-based compensation	8,643		8,643
Contribution of noncontrolling interest	13						13
Reclassification of share-based liability awards	15,248		15,248
Reclassification of share-based equity awards	0
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2018	$ 1,451,473	$ 1,290	$ 349,454	$ (66,466)	$ 1,382,791	$ (215,782)	$ 186
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2018	129,060,664	129,060,664
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Feb. 28, 2018	(12,234,996)					(12,234,996)