Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2021	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2021	Feb. 29, 2020	May 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information
Revenue	$ 1,777,056	$ 1,810,648	$ 5,280,678	$ 5,465,536
Income (loss) before income taxes	302,003	289,056	955,756	876,613
Total assets	8,347,497	7,901,980	8,347,497	7,901,980	$ 7,669,885
Operating Segments | Uniform rental and facility services
Segment Reporting Information
Revenue	1,417,865	1,448,021	4,222,764	4,372,524
Income (loss) before income taxes	283,403	271,629	914,040	826,999
Total assets	6,783,655	6,695,002	6,783,655	6,695,002
Operating Segments | First Aid and Safety Services
Segment Reporting Information
Revenue	198,474	170,541	597,373	512,299
Income (loss) before income taxes	25,820	24,692	65,853	74,102
Total assets	653,662	552,455	653,662	552,455
Operating Segments | All Other
Segment Reporting Information
Revenue	160,717	192,086	460,541	580,713
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,245	18,331	49,153	54,161
Total assets	356,569	420,082	356,569	420,082
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(24,465)	(25,596)	(73,290)	(78,649)
Total assets	$ 553,611	$ 234,441	$ 553,611	$ 234,441