RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Pre-Tax Accumulated Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost (credit) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 456,347	$ 607,011
Prior service (credit) cost	0	3
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax	456,347	607,014
Non-U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	193,503	203,608
Prior service (credit) cost	(14,275)	(15,281)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax	$ 179,228	$ 188,327

RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS - Pre-Tax Accumulated Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost (credit) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

U.S. Plans

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Net actuarial loss

$ 456,347

$ 607,011

Prior service (credit) cost

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax

456,347

607,014

Non-U.S. Plans

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Net actuarial loss

193,503

203,608

Prior service (credit) cost

(14,275)

(15,281)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax

$ 179,228

$ 188,327

- Definition

The pretax total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The pretax net amount of gains and losses that are not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount related to the pretax cost of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph i

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (j)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

-Glossary Prior Service Cost

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521920

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Prior Service Cost

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521884

+ Details