Operating Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	$ 7,854,459	$ 7,116,340	$ 7,085,120
Gross margin	3,632,246	3,314,651	3,233,748
Selling and administrative expenses	2,044,876	1,929,159	2,071,052
Interest expense, net	88,602	97,743	104,405
Income before income taxes	1,498,768	1,287,749	1,058,291
Depreciation and amortization	399,701	387,951	379,053
Capital expenditures	240,672	143,470	230,289
Total assets	8,147,256	8,236,823	7,669,885
Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	6,226,980	5,689,632	5,643,494
First Aid and Safety Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	832,458	784,291	708,569
Operating Segments | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	6,226,980	5,689,632	5,643,494
Gross margin	2,910,547	2,706,118	2,588,349
Selling and administrative expenses	1,557,057	1,480,278	1,583,791
Interest expense, net	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,353,490	1,225,840	1,004,558
Depreciation and amortization	329,473	323,596	317,699
Capital expenditures	166,559	104,020	183,364
Total assets	6,979,731	6,743,272	6,531,673
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	832,458	784,291	708,569
Gross margin	372,193	332,336	338,661
Selling and administrative expenses	265,430	251,153	231,769
Interest expense, net	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	106,763	81,183	106,892
Depreciation and amortization	48,656	43,314	38,516
Capital expenditures	59,656	34,384	35,678
Total assets	664,040	637,663	611,205
Operating Segments | All Other
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	795,021	642,417	733,057
Gross margin	349,506	276,197	306,738
Selling and administrative expenses	222,389	197,728	255,492
Interest expense, net	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	127,117	78,469	51,246
Depreciation and amortization	21,572	21,041	22,838
Capital expenditures	14,457	5,066	11,247
Total assets	413,014	362,248	381,605
Corporate
Disclosures related to operating segments
Revenue	0	0	0
Gross margin	0	0	0
Selling and administrative expenses	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	88,602	97,743	104,405
Income before income taxes	(88,602)	(97,743)	(104,405)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Total assets	$ 90,471	$ 493,640	$ 145,402