Property, Plant and Equipment (Components) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 6,844,961	$ 6,354,068
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,646,945	3,125,390
Property plant and equipment, net	3,198,016	3,228,678
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	144,136	120,574
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	849,975	804,861
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	1,013,428	877,752
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	3,983,025	3,680,881
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	192,243	178,603
Computer hardware and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	601,955	583,569
Transportation equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	17,215	22,080
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 42,984	$ 85,748