Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Current U.S. - Federal income taxes	$ 2,240	$ (8,937)	$ 5,845
Current U.S. - State income taxes	279	1,103	2,040
Current Non-U.S. income taxes	125,646	102,826	66,285
Total current income taxes	128,165	94,992	74,170
Deferred U.S. - Federal income taxes	2,172	4,123	(2,273)
Deferred U.S. - State income taxes	462	97	97
Deferred Non-U.S. income taxes	(17,988)	(983)	4,507
Total deferred income taxes	(15,354)	3,237	2,331
Total U.S - Federal income taxes	4,412	(4,814)	3,572
Total U.S - State income taxes	741	1,200	2,137
Total Non-U.S income taxes	107,658	101,843	70,792
Total income tax expense	$ 112,811	$ 98,229	$ 76,501