Results of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	May. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		$ 1,155,984	$ 1,071,128	$ 2,398,510	$ 2,275,024
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	120,261	105,750	262,462	253,828
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(21,378)	(14,346)	(39,770)	(29,958)
EBIT	[3]	141,639	120,096	302,232	283,786
Total Assets		4,518,232		4,518,232		$ 4,694,240
Operating Segments | Industrial Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		610,201	647,836	1,273,530	1,342,120
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	62,962	62,810	145,713	148,233
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(1,535)	(1,976)	(3,034)	(4,647)
EBIT	[3]	64,497	64,786	148,747	152,880
Total Assets		1,944,190		1,944,190		2,105,364
Operating Segments | Specialty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		186,729	70,511	370,369	150,113
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	29,324	14,299	57,530	31,340
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	199	78	395	116
EBIT	[3]	29,125	14,221	57,135	31,224
Total Assets		791,719		791,719		798,893
Operating Segments | Consumer Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales		359,054	352,781	754,611	782,791
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	65,429	61,562	131,552	138,231
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	42	(4)	100	(12)
EBIT	[3]	65,387	61,566	131,452	138,243
Total Assets		1,552,852		1,552,852		1,626,097
Corporate/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Expense) Before Income Taxes	[1]	(37,454)	(32,921)	(72,333)	(63,976)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	[2]	(20,084)	(12,444)	(37,231)	(25,415)
EBIT	[3]	(17,370)	$ (20,477)	(35,102)	$ (38,561)
Total Assets		$ 229,471		$ 229,471		$ 163,886

[1] The presentation includes a reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, a measure defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, to EBIT.

[2] Interest (expense), net includes the combination of interest (expense) and investment income/(expense), net.

[3] EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. We believe EBIT is useful to investors for this purpose as well, using EBIT as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and taxes in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness and ongoing tax obligations. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets' analysis of our segments' core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.