Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (228,707)	$ (162,395)	$ (228,707)	$ (162,395)	$ (214,207)	$ (156,757)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(10,947)	(4,551)	(14,500)	(5,638)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(165,300)	(144,846)	(165,300)	(144,846)	(171,729)	(151,852)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			12,877	236
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(6,448)	6,770
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			6,429	7,006
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,417	5,171	3,417	5,171	4,156	4,398
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(739)	773
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(739)	773
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,844)	(5,131)	(11,844)	(5,131)	(5,324)	(2,722)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(6,233)	(2,658)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(287)	249
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(6,520)	(2,409)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (54,980)	$ (17,589)	(54,980)	(17,589)	$ (41,310)	$ (6,581)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax			(13,670)	(11,008)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(13,670)	(11,008)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(7,765)	(12,657)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(6,735)	7,019
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (14,500)	$ (5,638)