Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 458,550	$ 402,960	$ 1,235,431	$ 1,132,103
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	201,039	177,877	547,586	492,853
Selling and administrative expenses	143,056	131,867	426,697	402,268
Total operating costs and expenses	344,095	309,744	974,283	895,121
Operating profit	114,455	93,216	261,148	236,982
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(3,810)	(3,353)	(10,917)	(11,045)
Interest and investment income	137	112	466	304
Other - net	(236)	2,699	(851)	934
Total other income (expense)	(3,909)	(542)	(11,302)	(9,807)
Income before income taxes	110,546	92,674	249,846	227,175
Income taxes	32,667	27,250	75,153	65,135
Net income	$ 77,879	$ 65,424	$ 174,693	$ 162,040
Average common shares	63,482	64,137	63,888	64,242
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	659	717	631	681
Average common shares and common share equivalents	64,141	64,854	64,519	64,923
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.23	$ 1.02	$ 2.73	$ 2.52
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.21	$ 1.01	$ 2.71	$ 2.50
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.54	$ 0.45