Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt, Debt Issuance (Details) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		May. 31, 2015 USD ($)	May. 31, 2015 GBP (£)	May. 31, 2015 EUR (€)	May. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Notes Due 2017 One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	1.80%	1.80%	1.80%
Notes Due 2017 Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	1.75%	1.75%	1.75%
Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)		2.70%	2.70%	2.70%
Unsecured Pound Sterling Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued | £			£ 400
Maturity date of note		Nov. 20, 2020
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)		2.875%	2.875%	2.875%
Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	3.30%	3.30%	3.30%
Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	3.10%	3.10%	3.10%
Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	3.80%	3.80%	3.80%
Unsecured Pound Sterling Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued | £			£ 300
Maturity date of note		Nov. 20, 2025
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)		3.60%	3.60%	3.60%
Unsecured Euro Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued | €				€ 750
Maturity date of note		Nov. 20, 2026
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)		2.125%	2.125%	2.125%
Notes Due 2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Notes Due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	4.40%	4.40%	4.40%
Notes Due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	[1]	4.80%	4.80%	4.80%
Pound Sterling Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued | £			£ 700
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 8,000			$ 2,700
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 750
Maturity date of note		May 18, 2016
Interest payment frequency		February 18, May 18, August 18, and November 18; commencing on February 18, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2017 One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued					1,000
Maturity date of note		Sep. 15, 2017
Interest payment frequency		March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2017 Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 750
Maturity date of note		Nov. 17, 2017
Interest payment frequency		May 17 and November 17; commencing on May 17, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 1,250
Maturity date of note		Nov. 18, 2019
Interest payment frequency		May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 1,250
Maturity date of note		Nov. 18, 2021
Interest payment frequency		May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued					1,200
Maturity date of note		Sep. 15, 2022
Interest payment frequency		March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 2,000
Maturity date of note		Nov. 18, 2024
Interest payment frequency		May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 500
Maturity date of note		Nov. 18, 2034
Interest payment frequency		May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued					$ 500
Maturity date of note		Sep. 15, 2042
Interest payment frequency		March 15 and September 15; commencing on March 15, 2013
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of notes issued		$ 1,500
Maturity date of note		Nov. 18, 2044
Interest payment frequency		May 18 and November 18; commencing on May 18, 2015

[1] All notes are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable.