CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 5,074	$ (159,190)	$ 10,039	$ (143,742)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,909	(14,322)	(23,749)	(35,496)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	202	158	738	375
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	0	13	0	36
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,111	(14,151)	(23,011)	(35,085)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 8,185	$ (173,341)	$ (12,972)	$ (178,827)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831270

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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