Financial Derivatives (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012 Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Net Investment Hedging [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011 Net Investment Hedging [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2010 Net Investment Hedging [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012 Net Investment Hedging [Member] EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2011 Net Investment Hedging [Member] EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2012 Forward Exchange And Options Contracts [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011 Forward Exchange And Options Contracts [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Realized and unrealized gains, net of related income tax effects	$ 2,400,000	$ 500,000
Fixed rate, per annum				6.05%
Cash flow forward exchange contracts and option contracts outstanding										3,000,000	0
Foreign currency translation, net of hedging activities	(7,131,000)	4,719,000	(2,791,000)		1,800,000	700,000	300,000
Accumulated currency translation adjustments in AOCI, after-tax gains	1,723,000	8,854,000			2,400,000	700,000	1,500,000
Outstanding foreign currency forward contracts to sell								€ 26,500,000	€ 10,000,000