Changes in the Defined Benefit Pension Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Material Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
|---|
Aug. 31, 2011 | Aug. 31, 2010 |
|---|
U.S. Plans | | |
| Reconciliation of benefit obligation | | |
| Benefit obligation, beginning of year | $ 1,376,546 | $ 1,125,474 |
| Service cost | 12,602 | 12,662 |
| Interest cost | 71,433 | 66,709 |
| Actuarial loss (gain) | 4,642 | 199,930 |
| Benefits paid | (31,339) | (28,229) |
| Benefit obligation, end of year | 1,433,884 | 1,376,546 |
| Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | | |
| Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 930,126 | 853,197 |
| Actual return on plan assets | 96,677 | 94,633 |
| Employer contributions | 11,043 | 10,525 |
| Benefits paid | (31,339) | (28,229) |
| Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 1,006,507 | 930,126 |
| Funded status, end of year | (427,377) | (446,420) |
| Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: | | |
| Current liabilities | (11,445) | (11,043) |
| Non-current liabilities | (415,932) | (435,377) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax | 360,133 | 410,260 |
| Net amount recognized at end of year | (67,244) | (36,160) |
Non-U.S. Plans | | |
| Reconciliation of benefit obligation | | |
| Benefit obligation, beginning of year | 904,322 | 704,036 |
| Service cost | 50,817 | 44,493 |
| Interest cost | 43,976 | 37,923 |
| Termination benefits | | 1,066 |
| Participant contributions | 7,143 | 6,320 |
| Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 2,616 | 33,172 |
| Amendments | | (12,260) |
| Curtailments | (201) | (1,484) |
| Settlements | (11,793) | (7,133) |
| Actuarial loss (gain) | (20,545) | 141,944 |
| Benefits paid | (23,563) | (17,712) |
| Exchange rate impact | 93,480 | (26,043) |
| Benefit obligation, end of year | 1,046,251 | 904,322 |
| Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets | | |
| Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | 678,773 | 587,032 |
| Actual return on plan assets | 19,986 | 34,098 |
| Acquisitions/divestitures/transfers | 2,622 | 36,350 |
| Employer contributions | 38,286 | 44,652 |
| Participant contributions | 7,143 | 6,320 |
| Settlements | (11,278) | (7,133) |
| Benefits paid | (23,563) | (17,712) |
| Exchange rate impact | 67,785 | (4,834) |
| Fair value of plan assets, end of year | 779,754 | 678,773 |
| Funded status, end of year | (266,497) | (225,549) |
| Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: | | |
| Non-current assets | 17,750 | 27,961 |
| Current liabilities | (6,500) | (3,515) |
| Non-current liabilities | (277,747) | (249,995) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pre-tax | 142,415 | 144,982 |
| Net amount recognized at end of year | $ (124,082) | $ (80,567) |