Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Amounts Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 2,657,573	$ 2,518,699
Less current installments of notes payable and long-term debt	175,186	25,197
Notes payable and long-term debt, less current installments	$ 2,482,387	2,493,502
Senior Notes \| 5.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, stated interest rate	5.625%
Long-term debt	$ 398,441	397,995
Senior Notes \| 4.700% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, stated interest rate	4.70%
Long-term debt	$ 497,678	497,350
Senior Notes \| 4.900% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, stated interest rate	4.90%
Long-term debt	$ 298,935	298,814
Senior Notes \| 3.950% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, stated interest rate	3.95%
Long-term debt	$ 494,516	494,208
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	150,000	0
Unused borrowing capacity	2,200,000
Term Loan Facility \| Line of Credit \| Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 818,003	$ 830,332

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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