Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
May 31, 2021
Feb. 28, 2021
Nov. 30, 2020
May 31, 2020
Feb. 29, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
May 31, 2021
May 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]                
Beginning Balance $ 8,719,783 $ 8,785,856 $ 8,819,173 $ 8,623,956 $ 8,622,916 $ 8,617,530 $ 8,819,173 $ 8,617,530
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 7,115 2,549 8,917 (2,009) (10,585) (1,638) 18,581 (14,232)
Ending Balance 8,951,193 8,719,783 8,785,856 8,780,286 8,623,956 8,622,916 8,951,193 8,780,286
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]                
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]                
Beginning Balance (152,166) (156,035) (159,680) (163,659) (167,405) (172,478) (159,680) (172,478)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax 112 0 (125) (340) 0 (85)    
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax 5,064 5,151 4,977 4,977 4,977 4,977    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax 5,176 5,151 4,852 4,637 4,977 4,892    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax (1,288) (1,282) (1,207) (1,147) (1,231) 181    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,888 3,869 3,645 3,490 3,746 5,073    
Ending Balance (148,278) (152,166) (156,035) (160,169) (163,659) (167,405) (148,278) (160,169)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]                
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]                
Beginning Balance 11,996 12,555 10,886 3,613 9,425 15,297 10,886 15,297
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax (4,725) 2,929 14,506 7,795 (5,975) (3,331)    
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax (1,919) (3,673) (12,284) 1,263 (1,747) (4,473)    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax (6,644) (744) 2,222 9,058 (7,722) (7,804)    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax 1,653 185 (553) (2,241) 1,910 1,932    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (4,991) (559) 1,669 6,817 (5,812) (5,872)    
Ending Balance 7,005 11,996 12,555 10,430 3,613 9,425 7,005 10,430
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]                
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]                
Beginning Balance (82,288) (81,527) (85,130) (79,110) (70,591) (69,752) (85,130) (69,752)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax   (587) 3,629 (12,515) (8,540) (2,411)    
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax 8,398 0 0 0 0 0    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax 8,398 (587) 3,629 (12,515) (8,540) (2,411)    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax (180) (174) (26) 199 21 1,572    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 8,218 (761) 3,603 (12,316) (8,519) (839)    
Ending Balance (74,070) (82,288) (81,527) (91,426) (79,110) (70,591) (74,070) (91,426)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]                
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]                
Beginning Balance (222,458) (225,007) (233,924) (239,156) (228,571) (226,933) (233,924) (226,933)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax 3,785 2,342 18,010 (5,060) (14,515) (5,827)    
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax 3,145 1,478 (7,307) 6,240 3,230 504    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax 6,930 3,820 10,703 1,180 (11,285) (5,323)    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax 185 (1,271) (1,786) (3,189) 700 3,685    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 7,115 2,549 8,917 (2,009) (10,585) (1,638)    
Ending Balance $ (215,343) $ (222,458) $ (225,007) $ (241,165) $ (239,156) $ (228,571) $ (215,343) $ (241,165)