Goodwill, Service Contracts and Other Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Jun. 01, 2015	May. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 0
Goodwill	1,272,503,000			$ 1,195,612,000
Amortization expense for continuing operations	3,600,000	$ 3,500,000
Estimated amortization expense, year one	14,600,000
Estimated amortization expense, year two	11,200,000
Estimated amortization expense, year three	10,300,000
Estimated amortization expense, year four	9,600,000
Estimated amortization expense, year five	9,200,000
Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	943,152,000		$ 943,900,000	943,909,000
First Aid and Safety Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	232,584,000		155,000,000	154,954,000
All Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 96,767,000		$ 96,700,000	$ 96,749,000