This paper introduces a new simple linear time algorithm to recognize cographs (graphs without an induced P 4). Unlike other cograph recognition algorithms, the new algorithm uses a multisweep Lexicographic Breadth First Search (LexBFS) approach, and introduces a new variant of LexBFS, called LexBFS−, operating on the complement of the given graph G and breaking ties with respect to an initial LexBFS. The algorithm either produces the cotree of G or identifies an induced P 4.